About Us

The Dirty Truth Campaign is now also known as the 303 Community Coalition, Inc. On July 9, 2009, the Dirty Truth Campaign received official non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service under the name 303 Community Coalition, Inc. (303 CC). The 303 in the name represents zip codes in the city of Atlanta, many of which are plagued by vacant properties, blight, and the lack of community-driven economic development. 303 CC is working to change this picture so that our communities are filled with affordable housing renovated for and by community residents.

“The formation of 303 Community Coalition, Inc. is an important step in the growth of our organization. It gives us official non-profit status, which will allow us to raise funds to support all of the good work that we are doing in the community.”

303 CC will continue to advocate for equitable solutions to the city’s vacant property challenge.
This includes

  • fully utilizing the Atlanta/Fulton County Land Bank to acquire vacant properties
  • creating a community land trust to ensure lasting affordability
  • ceasing the sale of tax liens to third parties in Fulton County
  • enacting inclusionary zoning ordinances in affluent neighborhoods to dampen the effect of speculative buying and building in south Atlanta
  • cultivating community-based development capacity to undertake large development projects.

If you are interested in learning more about the 303 Community Coalition or want to make a donation, please contact the Dirty Truth Campaign at (404) 577-7229.

History

In 2006, approximately 20 residents of NPU-V used a process called Photovoice (see www.photovoice.com) to take pictures, tell stories, and reach policymakers about the issues that concern them the most. The theme that kept resurfacing was the impact of the built environment on residents' quality of life. Our technical assistance request to The Neighborhood Data Advisory Group revealed that there are 1296 vacant or unoccupied properties in NPU-V, representing 42% of all properties.

Vacant properties are not simply eyesores -

  • Vacant properties are harmful to residents’ mental health
  • Vacant properties increase crime and the fear of crime
  • Vacant properties are often artificially appreciated in value
    • while depreciating neighboring property values
  • Vacant properties reduce property tax revenue
  • Vacant properties strain police, fire, building, and health departments

We are committed to getting the Dirty Truth out about the impact of the built environment and the steps that we can take to transform NPU-V into a livable, affordable, and healthy community.

"Individuals who live in communities with an increasing number of vacant buildings begin to feel isolated, weakening the community as a whole. A large number of vacant buildings in a neighborhood symbolizes that no one cares, increasing the likelihood that property values will continue to decline and that further abandonment will set in."

-- National Vacant Properties Campaign

Our Mission

We are committed to eradicating blight and vacant properties in our neighborhoods so that we can create safe, vibrant, livable communities.