Renowned filmmaker and philanthropist, Tyler Perry, is making an effort to help low-income Atlanta seniors avoid eviction by contributing $750,000 to protect them from being displaced. Perry’s donation will pay off all back property taxes for every low-income senior in the city, including county and school taxes. The move comes amid rising property taxes that have displaced longtime Atlanta residents.
The donation will freeze property taxes for 100 low-income Atlanta seniors for 20 years, by donating $500,000 annually for five years. This ongoing payment will cover property tax hikes over the next two decades, thus benefiting seniors who live near Tyler Perry Studios.
To facilitate the process, Perry asked Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens for help. Invest Atlanta Partnership, the city’s economic development charity, will manage the funds, according to sources.
Perry, who was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 2021 Oscars, has always been passionate about giving back to the community. In his acceptance speech, he talked about his experiences with homelessness and recalled an encounter with a homeless woman who wanted shoes instead of money. The encounter inspired him to lead her to the clothing section of his studio, where he gave her a new pair of shoes.
