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Vine City faith‑based developers urge Fulton County to release $2.5 million in Westside TAD funds
Summary
Faith leaders, developers and neighborhood residents told the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 18 that a shovel‑ready, 70‑unit affordable housing project in Vine City depends on the county releasing previously committed Westside TAD funds; developers said failing to release the $2.5 million will prevent them from closing $23 million in financing.
Reverend Dr. Cynthia Parnell McDonald, pastor of Cosmopolitan AM Church in Vine City, told the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 18 that a faith‑based affordable housing project is ready to build but is stalled while the county holds $2.5 million in Westside TAD funds previously designated for the development. “We are prepared to be accountable. We are prepared to deliver results,” she said, urging the board to release the funds so construction can begin.
Project partners and community members delivered the same message during the public‑comment period. A Good Places representative said the 70‑unit project has Department of Community Affairs approvals and competitive 9% tax credits, and that the financing package—described by developers as roughly $23 million in total—requires the county’s TAD contribution this year for private and public lenders to close. Michelle Patton of Collaborative Housing Solutions, a co‑developer, told commissioners that 63 of the 70 units would be reserved at 50–60% of area median income and that the project’s ability to attract other investors depends on the county’s release of the committed funds.
Several speakers, including Charnet Trimble and other Vine City residents, cautioned trustees against repurposing the TAD allocation and cited language in the staff packet noting that a $625,000 portion of the Westside TAD held by Invest Atlanta “does not impact Fulton County 2026 budget and cannot be repurposed for Fulton County for any purpose through 2038.” Commenters emphasized seniors and long‑term residents who they say would be harmed if promised TAD money were redirected.
Commissioner Dana Barrett had added a resolution to the agenda requesting reallocation of at least 2% of the FY2026 budget toward affordable housing, homelessness prevention and wraparound services; she and Commissioner Ivory were listed as co‑sponsors of a related resolution supporting a faith‑based Vine City partnership. Commissioners did not complete a final vote on releasing the Westside TAD funds during the Feb. 18 session; several asked staff and legal counsel for clarifications about the timing, legal constraints and whether funds currently held by Invest Atlanta are administratively available for county action.
What’s next: Developers asked commissioners to vote to release the designated funds this calendar year to preserve the financing stack. Staff and legal counsel will need to confirm Invest Atlanta’s restrictions and the specific mechanics and timing for releasing county‑designated TAD funds before the board can take a formal vote.
