Atlanta Eviction Diversion Program Gets Key Investment

ATLANTA — Denise Wiley works to survive. She lives with her mother in apartments that were once the site of Perry Homes, a public housing project. Having already survived an eviction, Wiley says she still struggles to pay her rent and survive month to month.

“We survive wherever we go, whatever we have to do, that’s what we do,” Wiley said. “You don’t keep up. You just pray that everything goes well. You don’t keep up. It’s impossible, it’s hard.”

Landrea Murray, a diversion program coordinator with the local Star-C nonprofit, is working to help those in Wiley’s situation. The program provides $7,000 in rental assistance per household, with payments made directly to the landlord.

The initiative began in 2020 as a $50,000 online fundraiser, and then the Atlanta City Council stepped in to help in 2023. According to a statement from the city, more than $1.56 million of the $2 million intended for the initiative has been spent, preventing the displacement of more than 220 families.

Murray called the need for financial aid urgent as federal funds dry up, pandemic restrictions ease and thousands of evictions occur every day.

This week, the Atlanta City Council set aside $2 million to keep the program going.

“Our priority is to help working families, communities that have affordable housing, and help those families stay and stay housed, without having to make a tough choice of ‘should I eat’ or ‘should I stay housed,’” Murray said. “We want to help them catch up if they fall behind. We take the account, look at it and say, ‘Here’s where you are and here’s what we can do to help stabilize housing.’”

Murray also said the 30318 ZIP code, located west of Atlanta, receives the highest amount of rental eviction assistance.

“It can be very difficult, especially for the families I meet who have made plans. They’re working and doing their best, but their job cuts their hours or a child gets sick,” Murray said. “This stuff happens to all of us, but not all of us have the resources to step in when it happens.”

In general, participants in this program must live in the city of Atlanta and earn 60% or less of the area median income. That’s about $43,000 for a single-person household or $62,000 for a family of four. Covered hardships include reduced income due to job loss or reduced work hours, as well as travel or health emergencies.

Murray said applicants will need to provide personal information to receive financial assistance. Applicants will need a photo ID, Social Security numbers for each member of their household, proof of employment income, proof of residency, their current rental record or bank statement, as well as a landlord verification form and proof of hardship.

“It’s really important that people stop, don’t bury their heads in the sand, so to speak, and reach out for help and reach out to us when they feel like they’re going to have a problem,” Murray said. “Don’t let this advice put you off to the point where you don’t take action, because the sooner you take action, the more likely we are to be able to help you.”

Meanwhile, Wiley struggles to avoid further eviction, survive, and help others along the way.

“If you don’t have proper structure, you can’t function,” Wiley said. “You can’t go to work; you can’t even stay home from work because you’re worried. We know that worry and stress cause disease in the body. I think unity is going to be a really good place to start, along with other things like resources and connecting.”