Atlanta mayor warns homeowners: Beware ‘predatory purchasers’

Reed mulls duplicating anti-displacement homeowner fund as property taxes rise, citizens targeted to sell homes cheap

Mayor Reed's administration has made it a priority to revitalize Atlanta's Westside.

Mayor Kasim Reed says he may soon have solutions for Atlanta homeowners who fear they could be priced out of their neighborhoods because of gentrification.

Reed said he is considering expanding an anti-displacement program he launched in April to help residents in Vine City, English Avenue and other West End communities to other parts of the city. That program uses money raised by corporations and philanthropies to help owners pay rising property tax bills caused by gentrification.

The mayor said he also might impose restrictive covenants along the Atlanta Beltline, which has become a magnet for residential growth but also has been blamed by some for escalating housing costs.

MORE ABOUT THE ATLANTA BELTLINE

>> For a detailed look at Reed’s ideas to address gentrification only available to myajc.com subscribers, including the mayor’s advice to homeowners who might be attempted to sell, please go here

MYAJC.COM: REAL JOURNALISM. REAL LOCAL IMPACT.

The AJC's Leon Stafford keeps you updated on the latest in the Atlanta mayoral race and everything else going on at City Hall. You'll find more on myAJC.com, including these stories:

Never miss a minute of what's happening in Atlanta politics. Subscribe to myAJC.com.