DeKalb Receives $21M Grant For Rent Relief, Eviction Prevention

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County will launch a rent relief program with $21 million in federal grant money, as the coronavirus pandemic causes families across DeKalb and the country to continue to face evictions and financial crises.

DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond announced the $21 million grant Tuesday, made possible by the federal stimulus package signed in December. As a result, Thurmond created a Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition (TLAC) comprised of public and nonprofit partners from DeKalb's court system, its marshal's office, Atlanta Legal Aid and Goodwill of North Georgia.

The coalition is designed to provide financial relief to DeKalb renters threatened by eviction and landlords facing revenue losses, both due to the pandemic. Online applications open Friday, Feb. 12 at 9 a.m.

“The pandemic is exacerbating a housing crisis for thousands of DeKalb families and landlords,” Thurmond said. “More and more families are facing immediate loss of a place to live. Landlords are losing significant rental income. With the support of the Board of Commissioners, the county court system and key nonprofits, we can give DeKalb residents and landlords a fighting chance against the financial impact of this insidious virus.”

There are about 8,000 dispossessory cases in various stages in DeKalb County, Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl Anderson said Tuesday. Writs of possession have been filed in about 1,700 of those cases, which means the federal eviction moratorium that's set to expire in March is the only thing keeping those families in their homes.

“Every day in the judicial system, we see the growing, sad consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the large numbers of families facing eviction and landlords losing income due to no fault of their own,” Anderson said. “Working with DeKalb County and the other partners in the TLAC we will be able to provide an important lifeline for many residents and property owners.”

The program will provide financial help with rent, utilities and other housing costs incurred due to the pandemic for eligible families that have an annual family income of 80 percent of the median income for DeKalb County. An owner or landlord renting to an eligible household may apply on behalf of the tenant.

Annual family income limits are:

• Family of one: $46,350
• Family of two: $52,950
• Family of three: $59,550
• Family of four: $66,150