Atlanta Announces Crackdown on Absentee Owners of Neglected Properties

The measure would change the city’s tax laws and build on state and national efforts to incentivize property owners to clean up or redevelop neglected properties. Among other things, a property could be considered dilapidated if it is an “uninhabitable, dangerous or abandoned structure” or if it lacks “ventilation, light, air or sanitation,” the ordinance states.

According to the city hall, this would not lead to involuntary displacement of residents living in dilapidated houses.

Owners will have the opportunity to rehabilitate and redevelop their properties if an inspection deems them dilapidated. If the property is returned to “productive use,” owners could qualify for a reduced tax rate, officials said.

Properties with a larger footprint must first agree to a detailed redevelopment plan aligned with a neighborhood’s priorities for connectivity, transportation and public amenities, according to the mayor’s office.

Property owners can request a hearing before a municipal court judge within 30 days of receiving notice that the property is dilapidated or has inadequate sanitation.

Credits: Ben Gray

Credits: Ben Gray

In an interview, Amos said abandoned properties create a vacuum for criminal activity in his district.

“This tool starts to hit people where we think it’s going to hurt them, and that’s where they need it most,” he said.

The ordinance’s introduction follows the city’s moves on several housing initiatives. On Monday, the council approved a resolution authorizing a $2 million donation to support the city’s eviction diversion program for low-income Atlanta residents.

Another resolution authorized a $250,000 donation to the Atlanta Police Foundation to support an $850 grant payment to first responders so they can live in the communities they serve.

The council committed an additional $250,000 to create a trust fund to supplement the federal AIDS Housing Opportunities Program for low-income families.

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and City Hall announced that the federal agency is funding rental assistance and supportive services to meet the housing needs of eligible individuals and families. AID Atlanta received $2.5 million and Positive Impact Health Centers received $2.5 million, according to HUD.