GSU COL Pro Bono Program

Project Description:
Atlanta Legal Aid's Homestead Exemption and Tax Appeal Project focuses on helping low income Fulton residences stay in their homes by lowering the property taxes they have to pay. We collaborate with other local nonprofits to do public education about homestead exemptions and tax appeals, hold clinics to help people file their homestead exemptions and tax appeals, and represent clients in their appeals. The Homestead Exemption portion of our project occurs January-May since April 1 is the deadline for applying and receiving a homestead exemption effective that year. We pull existing Atlanta Legal Aid client data to see whether some of our clients should apply for exemptions, follow up with clients by phone and we coordinate with our project partners to do public education and clinics to help other eligible people apply for homestead exemptions.

Volunteers will make calls to Atlanta Legal Aid clients regarding homestead exemptions. Calls can be done remotely or students are welcome to come to the office if they prefer. Training materials, sample scripts, etc. will be provided.

How to Sign Up:
1. Any necessary training will be provided in advance. Please RSVP for a shift below, and we will connect you with Kate Gaffney, the project supervising attorney, before the week of your project.

Contact Kate Gaffney at kmgaffney@atlantalegalaid.org for further information, details, or questions about this project.

After the Project:
Be sure to track your hours here on Track It Forward (click on Log Hours tab at the top of the page) AND track your hours on Inside Law for credit towards your graduation distinction. You can track your hours on Inside Law here: https://law.gsu.edu/student-experience/pro-bono-service-in-the-community/. Click on the blue "Log Pro Bono Hours" button. If you have any questions about logging your hours, please email probono@gsu.edu.