Dear Atlanta Habitat homebuyer/homeowner,

I want to share with you Atlanta Habitat’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Like you, we are adjusting every day to a changing environment and looking for ways to minimize any impact on serving families and continuing to make homeownership not just a dream but a reality that continues through this crisis. We have received many calls and emails from you, and I hope that this note provides some additional information on our approach to issues that are affecting you and our organization.

Atlanta Habitat continues to follow the COVID-19 coronavirus health and safety guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control, and other health and elected officials. Our offices and ReStore are closed, and the staff are working remotely to continue the essential business. We have suspended builds, programs and classes until it is safe for employees, families and volunteers to come together again. Once we do resume, you can be confident that we will have additional health and safety protocols in place. Our staff is reviewing the federal government’s $2 trillion stimulus package and its support to individuals, families and organizations. We are encouraged that it extends aid to people who may have become unemployed as states shutdown.

It’s important for us to work together during this crisis. If you are experiencing hardships because of the coronavirus that may impact your ability to pay your mortgage, please contact Family Service Director Melissa Klein at 404.465.1039 or melissa.klein@atlantahabitat.org or Homeowner Financial Services Manager at Paul Tomlinson 404-223-5180 ext. 145 or paul.tomlinson@atlantahabitat.org immediately so that we can work with you. The stimulus package has assistance for commercial banks with options for mortgage relief. As you know, Atlanta Habitat is not a commercial bank, and there was no aid designated for organizations like Habitat to provide a suspension of mortgage payments.  We are committed to working with homeowners and finding workable solutions similar to how we handled the recession in 2008.   

We support you and have built a strong partnership together. During this time, we remain committed to your success. We have developed and continue to refine our community resources web page. There you will find useful information to help during this time. Below are answers to several frequently asked questions.

We will continue to look for ways to support you during this crisis, and please be safe.

Sincerely,

Lisa Y. Gordon, CPA
President and CEO

Frequently Asked Questions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

1. May I continue to drop-off my mortgage/rent payment? Yes, you may still drop off a payment in our drop box, but we prefer that you stay safe in your home and pay online at www.atlantahabitat.org or mail your check or money order to 824 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30316. If you need help setting up an online account, please contact Barb Wolf at 404.223.5180, ext. 102.
2. I am not working right now and can’t make my mortgage payment. What do I do?  Call Paul Tomlinson at 404.223.5180 ext. 145 to discuss your account.
3. Are you still charging late fees? Yes. However, if you cannot make your payment due to a coronavirus-related issue, contact Paul Tomlinson at 404.223.5180 ext. 145.
4. Is the ReStore open?  The ReStore is temporarily closed. We are committed to following health and safety guidelines and orders from public health officials, elected, local leaders and Atlanta Habitat leadership. We will follow their guidance on when to resume operations. You can stay updated by checking www.atlantahabitat.org or follow us on social media.
5. I am supposed to move into my new house or build my house soon.  What is going to happen?  Atlanta Habitat is working to determine a new operations schedule, including move-ins and build dates for families. As Atlanta Habitat follows the guidelines from public health and elected officials, we will determine when operations will resume. In the meantime, we encourage you to contact your landlord about a potential delay in your planned move and request some flexibility during this public health crisis.  You will receive regular updates from an Atlanta Habitat Family Services team member as well as your house leader during this time.
6. Since all programs and classes are suspended for now, how am I supposed to complete sweat-equity hours, financial coaching, and homeowner education classes on time? COVID-19 has interrupted everything. Atlanta Habitat will not enforce any penalties during this public health emergency. Our Family Services team is creating opportunities to complete these requirements remotely where possible. Homeowners and program participants will receive regular updates on our progress and programs from the Family Services team every week.
7. What are my options if I need repairs to my house that are within my warranty period? If you have an emergency repair, contact your contractor or Tina Marie Jones at 404.223.5180, ext. 104. As we work through this public health crisis, Atlanta Habitat is limited in the actions we can take under executive orders by our local, elected officials to shelter-in-place unless its essential business. If your repair is a non-emergency, we will work with you to address your repair requests once we are fully operational again.
8. How will I know when Atlanta Habitat will re-open? Atlanta Habitat will re-open based on the guidance and recommendations of public health officials, our local, elected leaders, and the Atlanta Habitat leadership team. We are closely monitoring this pandemic and remain committed to keeping our homeowners and other stakeholders safe during this time. Once we have set a date to re-open, you will be informed via email, website posting, social media, and our Family Services team.
9. Why haven’t I heard anything from Atlanta Habitat? Our Family Services team sends weekly E-blasts that share our status and community resources to your Inbox. You can also check for updates at www.atlantahabitat.org and follow us on social media. If you have an email account but have not been receiving these E-blasts, please check your spam filter and provide your current email address to Megan DeCantillon at 404.223.5180, ext. 244.