When Ivera Powell first moved to Atlanta in 1959, she spent years moving between rooming houses and public housing with her children. Then, one day, while passing through the historic Westside, she found what would become her forever home.

“I saw this house, and I said, ‘That’s a nice place to live,’ because my kids could go to school there,” said Powell. “So I started making inquiries about how to get it.”

Situated across the street from Booker T. Washington High School and just blocks from M. Agnes Jones Elementary School, the house was perfect for her family. The proximity to quality education and the charming design of the home made it an ideal place to settle down.

“I’ve always wanted two children and a white house with a swing on the porch,” said Powell. “I got three children and a white house with a swing on the porch.”

For Powell, the Westside wasn’t just a neighborhood; it was a community where her children could thrive. Her children attended both local schools, walking the same streets every day that she had come to love. The home wasn’t just a structure; it was the foundation of a life she had always dreamed of.

After a 56-year career as a domestic worker, Powell is now retired and still enjoying the home she fell in love with so many years ago. But as Atlanta’s rapid growth and development brought rising property taxes, her ability to remain in the home and community she cherished was threatened – until she was introduced to Westside Future Fund.

As part of Westside Future Fund’s signature Home on the Westside program, legacy homeowners can register for the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund (ADTF) program. Funded by philanthropic contributions, the ADTF operates as a grant that does not require repayment, offering critical relief to residents.

Once enrolled, homeowners are protected from increases in their existing property taxes, with the ADTF covering the difference for up to 20 years. The program serves qualifying legacy homeowners in the English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights, Atlanta University Center, Just Us, and Booker T. Washington communities.

Powell’s status as a legacy resident qualified her for the fund, which dramatically reduced her property tax bill from over $3,000 to just $37. This assistance has allowed her to continue living in the home she has known for decades.

“I don’t know how I would have made it,” said Powell. “I can’t see myself paying that much with the money that I have. It would have been a real struggle for me to stay here. I would have had to ask my children to pitch in, and I don’t want to do that. I don’t ever want to have to do that unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Thanks to the support of the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund, Powell’s future in her home is secure. The fund has provided not only financial relief but also peace of mind, allowing her to continue enjoying the safety and stability she has worked so hard to maintain.

“I was just grateful for them being able to pay because I didn’t think I would be able to make it otherwise,” said Powell.

To learn more about the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund, visit https://www.westsidefuturefund.org/homeonthewestside-adtfprogram/