A Community Came Together To Help An Elderly Neighbor Save Her Home
Atlanta, Georgia. Adair Park is a longstanding residential neighborhood south of Downtown Atlanta developed from the 1890s to the 1940s when the City of Atlanta was transitioning from a “railroad town” to a bustling urban center.
According to the 2019 American Community Survey from the latest U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 15,000 housing units in Adair Park.
The average age of homes is 66 years old. Over 10,000 homes were built before 1960, with the first land lots in the Adair Park subdivision sold in 1910.
Through the decades, the neighborhood has gone through many changes. Recently there has been a significant effort to preserve the architecture and charm of this historic community. In 1994, a portion of the neighborhood was designated a historical district.
Almost a year ago, the community established the Adair Park Housing Relief Fund to assist the senior and legacy members of the neighborhood with emergency housing needs.
Each household can apply for $500 in assistance to maintain and preserve the integrity of their own homes.
After working with the community of long-term neighbors (legacy neighbors), the fund organizers have found that many residents have much more significant housing needs, with repairs estimated in the thousands.
One of these neighbors is Cathy James and her family. They have lived in their Adair Park home since 1974.
GoFundMe; pictured above is Cathy James
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The family is known for fostering many children through the years and making a positive impact throughout the neighborhood.
Cathy is disabled and has a fixed income. The structural care of her home has unfortunately fallen behind.
But with the help of her community, there is still hope to preserve an essential part of Adair Park history.
Two other long-term residents have spent countless hours seeking financial aid from government agencies and nonprofits for Ms. James.
They’ve been able to get limited assistance, but with Covid and other limitations, a surprising number of applications are still left unopened.
The legacy neighbors have come together and started a GoFundMe campaign has to help Ms. James repair her beloved home.
For more information about Ms. James and her neighborhood’s effort to help, check out their GoFundMe here.
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