Shared Resources for the Community: House Proud’s Guide to Support for Seniors and Veterans
At House Proud, our mission goes beyond hammers and paintbrushes. Yes, we rebuild porches, patch roofs, and install handrails—but we also advocate, educate, and connect our neighbors to the broader network of support that helps them remain in their homes safely and with dignity. For seniors and veterans across Atlanta and Birmingham, access to trusted information can mean the difference between staying rooted in place or being displaced by rising costs, scams, or home repair emergencies.
As we’ve deepened our work in both cities, we’ve come to understand something crucial: while resources exist, they’re often scattered or difficult to navigate. That’s why House Proud is committed to providing shared resources to the community—helpful, local information for homeowners navigating aging in place, homeownership challenges, or financial hardship.
Below is a collection of reliable resources we’ve compiled to empower legacy homeowners, with a focus on Atlanta-specific services. As we continue our work in Birmingham, we aim to build out similar resource guides that reflect the needs and services in that community as well.
General Homeownership Support
Many homeowners struggle with day-to-day city service issues that can affect the quality and safety of their home environment.
ATL311 (City of Atlanta Non-Emergency Services)
Need to report a missed trash pickup, broken streetlight, or overgrown lot? ATL311 is your starting point.
📞 Dial 311 (Metro Atlanta) or 404-546-0311
🕐 Open Monday – Friday | 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
🔗 atl311.com
Water Bill Management
For homeowners facing high utility bills or payment difficulties, assistance is available.
Care & Conserve Program
Offered by Atlanta Watershed Management, this program helps customers struggling with water and sewer bills.
📞 Call 404-546-3620
🔗 atlantawatershed.org/care-and-conserve
Homestead Exemptions for Seniors and Veterans
Property taxes can be one of the most burdensome costs for aging homeowners—but exemptions can offer major relief.
City of Atlanta and Fulton County Homestead Exemptions
If you’re 65 or older or a veteran with a disability, you may qualify for a property tax reduction. You must apply by the city/county deadline.
🔗 More information here
Failure to apply may lead to delinquent tax bills and even risk of foreclosure, so this is a critical tool for staying in your home.
Investor and Wholesaler Protections
Legacy homeowners are often targeted by predatory buyers, wholesalers, and real estate scammers who exploit gaps in knowledge or financial distress.
- Deed theft, mortgage fraud, and property lien scams are especially common among seniors.
- Wholesalers often present below-market offers to homeowners who are unaware of their property’s true value.
To report elder abuse or real estate exploitation:
📞 Call Adult Protective Services at 1-866-552-4464 (Option 3)
🔗 aging.ga.gov – Click the Report Elder Abuse tab
If abuse occurs in a healthcare facility:
📞 Call the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division at 1-800-878-6442
Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults
This is an excellent, in-depth resource for seniors that covers:
- Scams and fraud
- Identity theft
- Credit and debt
- Reverse mortgages
- Charitable giving
- Long-term care
- Funeral planning
- Home repair safety
Canceled Homeowner’s Insurance
When essential home repairs are left undone, insurance companies may cancel coverage. This can create a spiral of risk for low-income homeowners.
If your insurance is canceled, you should:
- Shop for a new policy immediately, while you’re still technically insured.
- Negotiate with your insurer if you’ve addressed or begun addressing the issues.
- File a complaint if the cancellation was improper or without merit.
Contact the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner:
📞 404-656-2070 or Toll-Free: 800-656-2298
📠 Fax: 404-657-8542
🔗 File a complaint online
📍 Two Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30334
The Bigger Picture: Resource Sharing Across Cities
As we expand our footprint into Birmingham, we’re discovering many of the same systemic barriers that affect legacy homeowners in Atlanta: rising housing costs, aging infrastructure, confusing tax systems, and a lack of visibility around support programs. Our goal is to replicate this model of resource sharing in every city where House Proud operates.
We believe that when a community knows its rights and options, it becomes more resilient. By connecting neighbors not just to repair services but also to city services, financial aid, and legal protections, we’re building the kind of wraparound support system that legacy homeowners need to thrive.
Share to help
We invite you to share this resource list with neighbors, family members, church groups, or anyone who could benefit. If you know of an additional organization or tool that helps senior or veteran homeowners, please let us know—we’d love to include it in future updates.
Together, we can create safer homes, stronger communities, and a future where aging in place isn’t a luxury—it’s the standard.
To learn more about House Proud or to get involved, visit:
👉 HouseProudATL.org
📧 Contact: hello@houseproudatl.org
Let’s stay warm, safe, and dry—together.
