ATLANTA – One year after the death of Cornelius Taylor, family members and community advocates are gathering to remember his life and renew calls for changes in how homelessness is addressed in Atlanta.

What we know:

Taylor, 49, was killed while crews were clearing a homeless encampment near Ebenezer Baptist Church and The King Center. His death sparked outrage among housing advocates and renewed scrutiny of encampment evictions across the city.

Later this evening, Taylor’s family and supporters are scheduled to hold a candlelight vigil and wreath laying at the site where he died. The event is set to begin at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.

Organizers say the vigil will also mark the start of a week of action aimed at pushing for a housing-first approach to homelessness and an end to encampment clearings, which they argue place vulnerable people at further risk.

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ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — On Thursday, Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens questioned Fulton County’s commitment to addressing homelessness across Atlanta.

“Fulton County is a partner we thought we could trust because this is local, we’re all part of this ecosystem,” Dickens said Thursday at a press event outside an affordable housing complex in southwest Atlanta.

Dickens said Fulton County is shirking its responsibility of paying $4.8 million annually as part of a 30-year agreement to address homelessness across Atlanta and Fulton County.

Dickens said the County is short in its financial investment by roughly $2.1 million for 2026.

“That’s the agreement. And we must keep them to their promises. Promises made, must be promises kept. Or see you at the ballot,” Dickens said.

A potential winter storm is expected late Saturday through Sunday, bringing the possibility of snow to north and central Georgia. Sunday is a First Alert Weather Day for cold, breezy conditions and potential winter weather.

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After the mayor’s press event, Atlanta News First reached out to Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts for reaction who pushed back against the mayor’s comments.

“Read my lips. That $2.1 million dollars will be in the approved 2026 budget,” Pitts said.

He said the mayor’s comments were premature because the County does not vote on their 2026 budget until Wednesday.

“Anything between now and then is just conversation,” Pitts said. “I have directed the manager and his staff to find the money.”

This issue was sparked during last week’s Board of Commissioners meeting when Fulton County Commissioner Mo Ivory questioned county staff about why the roughly $2.1 million in funding for homeless services was not included in the County’s recommended FY2026 budget.

Commissioner Ivory also spoke during Thursday’s press event alongside Mayor Dickens questioning the County’s commitment.

“Fulton County should be a partner to its cities, not a hinderance to the vital services that its cities need. And I’m committed to being a partner in this fight that we should be in together,” Ivory said.

Pitts said while he is advocating to provide $4.8 million in the FY2026 budget towards homeless services, he said the agreement between the County and the City of Atlanta does not require the County’s investment.

“That means subject to the funds being available,” Pitts said. “2027 and beyond we’ll have to find the money, because we may or may not have it.”

Dickens said his goal of securing 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2030 is challenged by a lack of commitment by federal and local funding.

“It’s makes it more difficult to get to 20,000 units when government is now reducing what they’re doing,” Dickens said. “The federal government is no longer doing as much as they did in the past. There have been a number of things that they have walked back in the housing and urban development department. And we’re critical.”

On Wednesday, Gov. Brian Kemp (R, GA) announced he plans to invest $50 million in state funding into homelessness initiatives.

Dickens, on Thursday, said it is unclear how much the City of Atlanta or Fulton County will be allocated or when those jurisdictions could see any funds.

Fulton County’s Board of Commissioners is set to approve their FY2026 budget on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

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Before 2100 West Wesley Road became Salubria, it was a small riverside ranch home sitting on 15 acres of undeveloped land. But in 1995, a buyer tore the home down—ostensibly to build something that would make better use of the lot—and enlisted renowned Atlanta architect Norman Askins to execute her vision.

Askins and his wife traveled to Europe to source the foundations of the newly-named estate’s guesthouse: Jerusalem stone to form the floors and exterior facade, Spanish tile for the roof, wood for the dramatic beams above the living and dining areas. The resulting structure—constructed almost entirely of imported materials—is American in address only; 24 years later, it presented the perfect fit for listing agent Katherine McClure’s clients, who purchased the property in 2019. Fresh off of a trip to Europe, they were determined to find a bigger lot similar to some of the sprawling properties they had encountered abroad.

Photograph courtesy of Ansley Real Estate

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Photograph courtesy of Ansley Real Estate

Photograph courtesy of Ansley Real Estate

Salubria certainly grants that wish, but “big” doesn’t begin to describe what is one of Atlanta’s largest privately held tracts of land. Concealed from street view by white gates, outdoorsy types could easily enjoy walking along the Chattahoochee River, taking one of the trails that wind through the on-property woods, or sitting by the pond without ever encountering another soul. “It’s very private, being one of the only properties on the Chattahoochee that’s not in the floodplain,” Katherine says. “Getting to hike on your own land is my favorite thing here. It feels like you’re out on a farm and you’re going to see sheep any minute.” (Although none have been spotted yet, she shares that grazing deer will occasionally greet you as you roll up the driveway.)

Photograph courtesy of Ansley Real Estate

Photograph courtesy of Ansley Real Estate

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Photograph courtesy of Ansley Real Estate

The original owner’s models for a massive main home addition never materialized, so what’s on the market today is the original three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath guesthouse. Lime-washed plaster walls and rustic wood accents keep it true to its European roots, while relaxing is made easy next to a cozy fireplace in the step-down living room. Every space in the house transports you to a slower time; don’t expect to find an AI-enabled oven or touchscreen fridge in the kitchen, which instead features charming antique appliances retrofitted for modern use.

Photograph courtesy of Ansley Real Estate

Photograph courtesy of Ansley Real Estate

Photograph courtesy of Ansley Real Estate

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The home is situated at one of Atlanta’s highest elevations, offering expansive and stunning views of the river. “Being in the living room with all the windows overlooking the water gives you that true guesthouse experience,” Katherine says. “And I love the surprise factor of being in town yet feeling like you’re miles away.”

Photograph courtesy of Ansley Real Estate

Salubria, which translates to “healthful” from the Latin word “salubris,” is an aptly named opportunity to own unprecedented access to tranquility. This slice of countryside in the city, located at 2100 West Wesley Road, is on the market for $7,500,000. For more information, contact Katherine McClure of Ansley Real Estate at 404.895.0170,  katherinemcclure@ansleyre.com; or contact Jane Cross of Ansley Real Estate at 404.788.7722, jane@ansleyre.com.

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