Lower-income Atlanta residents can receive up to $7,000 in rental assistance under a new eviction-prevention initiative the city launched with nonprofit Star-C.
Backed by $2 million in seed money from the city’s affordable housing trust fund, the program is open to applicants earning up to 60% of the area median income (AMI), which is about $58,000 for a family of four.
Applicants shouldn’t wait until sheriff’s deputies post an eviction notice on their door—or even until they fall behind on rent. “Our goal is to help people before it all happens,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said during a Nov. 21 webinar.
People seeking rental assistance funds must show they are, or will be, facing financial challenges, according to Star-C executive director Audrea Rease.
“We will cover your rent arrearage or emergency rental assistance due to hardship caused by income loss because of job loss, reduction of hours, or emergencies related to critical life requirements, such as transportation, medical situations for you or your household member,” Rease said during the webinar.
Applicants must provide photo IDs, Social Security numbers for leaseholders, a copy of their lease, birth certificates for any children, Atlanta Public Schools report cards or other documentation authenticating a student’s enrollment, and any paperwork that can verify their financial issues. If they’re already facing eviction, a copy of the dispossessory order is also required.
The program isn’t restricted to just U.S. citizens.
“If you are a city of Atlanta resident, and your income qualifies, and you do not have a social security number, we do have a procedure and protocol where we can still be able to assist you,” Rease said. “So if, for whatever reason, you are undocumented or in a situation like that, don’t allow that to hinder you from applying for this program.”
Help is also available to renters whose housing costs are subsidized by the…
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