Progress Residential, a leading provider of professional property management services, and the South Fulton Police Department today announced a new partnership that builds on Progress’ mission to expand access to affordable housing and supports a shared commitment to public and community safety.
“This initiative is a game-changer for our department, expanding our ability to support first responders with quality, affordable housing,” said South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows. “Through our partnership in Progress Residential’s workforce housing pilot program, we’re strengthening the connection between law enforcement and the community—because when officers live where they serve, trust grows, safety improves, and recruitment opportunities expand.”
About the Workforce Housing Initiative Pilot and South Fulton Police Department Partnership
For the pilot of this workforce housing initiative, Progress is offering approximately 90 homes in the greater Atlanta metro to law enforcement partners at reduced rental rates. As a program partner, South Fulton Police Department will contribute an additional $400 monthly rent subsidy to their officers, enabling them to secure housing at approximately 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This effort addresses a critical gap in affordable housing availability for officers who often struggle to find housing options in the communities they serve.
In addition to housing support, the program aims to enhance public safety and foster trust between law enforcement and community residents. Officers benefiting from the partnership will participate in several community safety initiatives, including:
- Conducting community patrols and identifying infrastructure or code issues
- Engaging with local HOAs and attending community meetings
- Participating in Progress Residential security events and meetings
- Assisting in crime prevention and resolution efforts
“Progress Residential recognizes that affordable housing and public safety are vital elements of a thriving community and we’re committed to working in partnership with law enforcement toward this shared goal,” said Ama Romaine, General Counsel at Progress Residential. “This pilot reflects the power of public-private partnerships to make a meaningful impact on the communities where we live, play and work. We’re starting small so we can test, learn, and explore opportunities to expand in other communities—and we’re grateful to the South Fulton Police Department for their shared commitment to strengthening the places we all call home.”
A Model for Public-Private Partnership
Progress Residential has been actively collaborating with Atlanta city officials, local housing advocates, and law enforcement to develop innovative solutions to the area’s housing and public safety challenges. At the end of September of 2024, Progress and parent company Pretium hosted their inaugural Safety Summit in Atlanta, as a way to highlight how Progress was able to build effective relationships with law enforcement and others in the community to combat the trespassing crisis that plagued Atlanta communities after the pandemic. Progress convened nearly 100 leaders from local government, housing authorities, law enforcement, nonprofits and the private sector to share experiences and ideas for creating greater housing opportunity for individuals and families in the Atlanta metro area and beyond.
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