I-Team: Atlanta's Eviction Crisis
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- Опубліковано 23 тра 2017
- by Dana Fowle
Aired May 24, 2017
ATLANTA - If you're having trouble finding a rental you can afford, it's not your imagination. If you're having trouble paying rent, you're not alone. Metro Atlanta has one of the highest eviction rates in the country.
Just go to eviction court and you will see the faces of families who are being told one after another they have seven days to vacate and find and a new place to live. A recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta reveals, no, it's not because they are lazy or won't work. It's a problem that working families have little control over.
This is what losing your home looks like - your worldly belongings carried to the street in the rain for strangers to rummage through. A tenant lawyer tells us that in recent years Atlanta has lost 5,000 affordable rental units. Those complexes often were torn down replaced with high-end homes.
This is what losing your home feels like.
"I'm sorry I'm a little distraught right now," a weeping 24-year-old told a judge in Fulton Magistrate Court.
Lamarcia Dill, who works full time, is getting evicted. This single mom is confused.
"I'm not understanding, your Honor."
And, out-gunned by a landlord who brought a lawyer.
This is the scene day in and day out at Fulton's dispossessory court. Working families, largely women, getting evicted.
Elora Raymond with the Atlanta Federal Reserve headed a study that takes a deep dive into why Atlanta sits near the top nationally for evictions.
Twenty-two percent of rental households in Fulton County receive an eviction notice, or did receive an eviction notice in 2015," said Raymond, a Georgia Tech doctoral candidate.
That's one in five families who get a notice they're getting kicked out. Today in metro Atlanta the working poor are too often spending 50 percent of their paycheck on rent.
"The ability of our clients to survive always kind of impresses me," said Michael Lucas of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. He fights on behalf of tenants.
"Families are stretched so thin to be able to make that rent every month there's no margin of error. Getting less hours just one week in your job and you're facing eviction," he told us.
The problem has never been as clear as it is at Atlanta's Thomasville Heights Elementary School where it has an annual 40 percent turnover rate.
Let's put a face on this. Many of you are parents. Put yourself in their position. You have a second grader. She's making friends in a new school because she was at another school last year. But, after the holidays, things fall apart, and she has to switch to a new school because the family is getting evicted again. Can you imagine?
It's not just an Atlanta problem. It's metro-wide. More and more landlords are investors who live out of state. And, according to the study, they can be less likely to work with struggling renters.
Lamarcia Dill got an eviction notice because she made a mistake. She paid rent, but she stopped paying her landlord for water.
"I just stopped paying it because the water was coming out dirty. It was not a consistent flow. It worked some days. Some days it didn't. It would go in and out," she explained.
Attorney Michael Lucas has some free legal advice. Don't stop paying your rent. Call code enforcement. And document every discussion or agreement in texts or emails.
HOW TO HANDLE A LANDLORD DISPUTE
• - Communicate in writing your complaint and landlord agreement
• - Call code enforcement
• - Seek legal advice
• - Stay polite
"That's great documentation. It's easy to kind of show the back and forth of the conversation and so use that."
Because starting over, again and again, is no way live.
Still visibly upset after leaving the courtroom, Lamarcia Dill said, "I don't have a place to go. I don't even know where to start."
During her appeals process, she got a stay from the judge. But Ms. Dill says she is still unclear of her status.
America is about wealth and it doesn't like the poor. As long as you're poor you will face misery.
So sad, oh Lord help this family.
That why a savings and working two jobs can help cause the enemy does not want affordable housing or peace but rather then misery.
It loves greed too.
7 days is crazy.
Oregon is 3. And that includes court time. Somehow they can get to in the next day for evictions, but tickets and appeals takes months..
@Ashok Hegde most of the time it's not them not paying rent. It's actually a way for owners of properties to get rid of tenants on low income housing or in a low income area, to get rid of the tenant so they can raise the rental rate. A place like Atlanta, or major hubs like Los Angeles and New York City, these things happen there all the time. That's what gentrification is. But it all stems from greed of the owner. I've seen owners try to raise there rent by 100-300+% because they realize they can make more money based off of the market for their area.
The problem for the girl they interviewed for this piece was that she stopped paying her water bill because there were issues with the running water. I would be calling in to pay my bill, while asking what the hell I can do about my water problem. That would lead to getting that crap fixed
People should not be punished for being broke or poor.
It's 'The Ant and the Grasshopper' story. It's more likely that they are being punished for not taking their free education, studies, seriously.
Ma always said, if you don't do well in class, you will just make your future more difficult and she wasn't wrong. I witnessed a lot of of high school friends fall off. The difference between the ppl who are making it and the poor is that the ones making it are willing to do what the poor won't. Something as simple as going to bed early to wake up early -simple but a lot of ppl can't or won't do that. just sayin.
@shad0wCh8ser Oversimplified is the easy way out.
How far back are you willing to place the blame?
You mentioned High School, but you could go back further
Middle School? Elementary School?
Pre-school? Why don't you scold toddlers? If they don't make good choices in potty training, their future is doom.😒
This is so sad. Life is so tough.
I can only imagine now.
I live in Dallas, TX and they do rush evictions here. The landlords can be so crooked too. When the person moves into the unit they sometimes get two and three rent increases in one year. Quickly pushing their rents far higher than what they can afford. By this time their children are settled in the local schools and the person is settled and they feel compelled to pay. Even though it's over 30% of their income at this point. I see it all the time.
Its done purposely to make people unstable so that they never have anywhere to live ever again...evictions stay on your record a long time.....
@@littlewn9280 7yrs
They need to ban foreign buys and only let local or us buyers. That is the problem
Or at least prioritize domestic and local buyers
Yep China is the head leader buying homes in America at inflated prices and they drive up the cost of houses and apartment
Also a lot of people move to the South, from the North and it's different rules, landlords don't let u get months behind in Ga.
Solution is quit having kids you cant afford!
This story shouldn't be about a small child trying to make new friend's ,at school. a roof over that child's head is more important then that child's so called friend's he or she won't even remember as they get older.
Housing court in all states is very confusing and complex, you really need a lawyer to navigate your way through it...,
GA prob has the most squatters too! It's a tough spot on both side bc I also feel for the landlords having to basically pay for someone else to live as a homeowner... But forget these Large investment company rentals. They are the worst.
WHILE the American government spends more than 800 billion in the military A yea.
THE government should put some of that money for housing WORKING people in
need..
you know the government owes you NOTHING, they are there to keep us safe that is it from others.. You should be respondsable for yourself .
@@catherinebenton3637 the government isn't actually here to keep us safe... if they were, there would be a lot less crime and violence in the country, which there isn't because they dont pass laws to make change.
Corporations run almost every country, even the US. That's how gun makers, cigarette companies, and all these large corporations survive on the misfortune of the common people.
@@catherinebenton3637 The money is ours---not the elite wheel.
Dont stop paying your rent
Everybody wants to run their azz's to Atlanta so they can be homeless.. Good Luck
Facts i keep telling people to stop coming here.
Eviction is unnecessary IF the tenant follows the terms of their rental agreement ... I can't speak to Georgia laws, but generally the landlord has to notify the tenant "pay or move" ... there's no other options here, the tenant doesn't have a place to go whether they move out or the sheriff deputies move them out ... the tenant needs to stop signing rental agreements until they can follow the terms ... I made it a point to try and work with each of my tenants, but if there's no way they'll ever be able to afford rent ... then it's their lifestyle choice ... they're going to be homeless long before I'm homeless ...
Live below your means, could be only able to afford living on the street. Yes, in America you still need money to live on the side walk.
Sad 😞
Georgia laws favor landlords
If Americans will self-govern collectively without politicians---then this will vanish.
I love the news anchor, how she seemed to really want to educate the audience. That’s important. Everyday people don’t always know what may seem simple to others.
She's really good, her segments are always educational
She is unintelligent and doesn't do her homework. The piece is filled with errors, beginning with the assertion that there is a Federal Reserve Board of Atlanta. No, there's not. It's the Federal Reserve Bank. That's the kind of sloppiness that's all over this "story."
@@louisc.gasper7588 lmao...
Federal Reserve Board is a group of people at the bank that deal with the market values, monetary inflation, interest %s etc in the area.
There are 12 such boards working at all 12 federal reserve banks.
@@mistahkrazy805 Each bank has a Board of Directors. They do not "deal" with market values and so on. All of that is dealt with by the Federal Open Market Committee, which is headquartered in the New York Bank and includes representatives from the regional banks.
Each Board of Directors of each regional bank deals with administrative matters concerning that bank and that region alone. They do not make any decisions that bear on regulating the money supply, bank reserves, or related matters.
Young people must be coached on how to handle situations legally, you can’t just get petty with a landlord or legal issue and get smart an say I’m just not paying rent, chill they will put ya out Legally
woow this is horrible
Yep that’s right I was doing the same thing buying my house 50% of my income went to the mortgage for 20 years and now I have payed my house off I work extra jobs part time or full time overtime and pay the mortgage first every thing else had to wait
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌congrats best way to go
Put your rent payment in an escrow, show it to a judge. Let the landlord know that they will get all the rent once all repairs are made and are done effectively.
In Georgia, that is definitely legal and encouraged. But YOU can take the landlord to court too and if you win then you can deduct the court costs from the rent.
My friend took her landlord to court. She won her case , but she knew the law. I had to laugh at her. I said to her girl how you know so much about your rights as a tenent. She said she was on her way to law school but changed direction. Fyi she got 12,000 in her case. LOL
The court will do that for you when u file complaint
If you can't afford the rent it's best to move into a motel 6 or a shared Airbnb until you can find an affordable rental house or apartment. Try and find a better job or learn a new skill/trade. Self employment is better than working full-time at a 9-5 job.
People let's be real....a landlord owes you NOTHING except to keep the place clean and make all repairs on time. A landlord's purpose is NOT to keep rent very low so that you afford a place to live....If you need help that is the purpose of the church, government, etc. People become landlords to invest in real estate and make profits. Landlords should NOT take advantage of tenants either but their job is NOT to help the less fortunate. I can say this because I lived in NYC housing projects.
They get evicted because they stop paying! If you can't afford it find a cheaper place, conserve on your purchases, BUDGET PROPERLY.
Sometimes "finding a cheaper place" means moving out of the area, maybe out of the city. And depending on what the family has going for them (having a car or not, working for a company that only has one job site, distance to family or babysitters for kids, etc) can make a big difference to whether such a move is even possible.
@@mistahkrazy805
So? Living in a city you can't afford is not a right.
News flash. Pay your rent and you don't get evicted. Simple.
That organization couldnt help me..we wrote letters, made calls...nothing worked...I filed for bankruptcy and got rid of this problem. That's why I created the GTAG (Georgia Tenant Advocate Group). We have a FB page and soon a phone number that you can contact us.
If you want to know how cruel America can be just become a poor person.
She had a man with her carrying the baby
Being American and poor makes America great again.
No let’s talk about how ppl are scam and pays 4000 to move 2000 a month for 4 mo to be told out the blue I have 5 days to move and that the person I rented from lied and is not the owner of the home and not being from Atlanta
The solution is not getting pregnant at 16.
maybe that judge needs to get evicted from his home.
Maybe
but as long as he's paying his mortgage on TIME =
he's not going to. ..
@Ashok Hegde this isn't always the case. Check out the school teacher that had a rent increase of 344% from one month to the next. Rent went up to $8,000 cuz owner realized she could be ripping people off like the neighbors. (This was in San Fransisco by the way.)
Atlanta, staying in an ex-stay motel at 350 a week thanks to an apt complex I use to work at,
No disrespect, but paying 1400 a month, you still pay less than I do for a 2+1 🙁
@@mistahkrazy805 this is what it’s coming down to and every body with a lot of money has payed into the investment 1400.00 a month and up all over the USA
Here is the thing. Live below your means, get two jobs if need to. Because no one owes you Nothing!
Ashok Hegde yes!!!
That's not the problem. Gentrification is the problem. Plus, they are not making enough money even of you have two jobs.
It didn't take long to find an utter lack of empathy in the comments
Amen....I agree with you 100%. People turn to God first for help instead of man.
@Ashok Hegde Even cheaper areas have gentrification. I should know, I lived in the South for my entire life!
This is not fair. why
Don't drop paying anything
Another note, consider going back to school and leave Atlanta. The jobs don't pay.
enzigenes They Sure 💵 Don’t, & people moving there by the Boatloads 🤦🏼♂️
I rob the rich to feed the poor
Landlord is cold hearted
That too.
It's the landlord's right to charge whatever they want for the units on his or her property! He or she also has the right to sell the property and evict the tenants! Can't stay in your home if the landlord tells you to move out, cause, it ain't yours!
I live in cheastion and i am pay 640 and it rife god will be right there
Welcome to the real. Happened to me in May 2018. I'm with my cuzin now, for 6 months. My kids are grown tho.
@Ashok Hegde sometimes this isn't the case. I had once lived in an apartment complex that raised the rent every year by $110-$165. When questioned about it, they had said it was because "an increase in costs" at the complex/for the company. I can understand that a bit, minimum wage slowly rising and whatnot. But doing it with purpose because they want to maximize their profits.
Minimum wage increased by $1.00 in my area over a 2yr period. $.50 one year and another the following. But property management companies still raised the monthly rent by a minimum of $100. So you aren't ever going to catch up.
I'm glad I had found a private owner who isn't greedy. Went from paying $1420 for a 2+1 to 1535, to 1650, and now with this place its 1550. Been here 2 yrs, no increase. Checked out my old place, rent is 1875.
Pay your bills, always. But never stop looking for an affordable place to live.
that life
Yeah - that's pretty compassionate of you. It is life and that happens to people every day. Doesn't make it right. I hope they gentrify Atlanta to the point that no one can afford it and the whole market collapses - that's life too.
Life is tough.
This is the real ATL, why would anyone want to move there. Poor ppl dont have a chance.
8/3/18......This is a single mom. WHERE is the dad/sperm donor?
Then woman doesn't pay b/c she claims WATER DIRTY/IRREGULAR FLOW but NO COMPLAINT to code enforcement. THEN PLEAS that her child has to be uprooted/move to yet another area & school & make new friends.
Sad---but SHE is the responsible adult & wants sympathy for her child????
WHERE is her PERSONAL responsibility? WHY hasn't she gone after soetm donor/dad for support? WHY doesn't she get apt with another single mom & split expenses to save $$$$.
I used to own part of an apt comolex + several single rental homes. I heard every excuse in the book---but electric + water + mtg DIDN'T CARE---do I jad to pay legal/court fees & evict every month. I ALMOST GAVE MY RENTAL PROPERTIES AWAY just to get out of this mess!
SORRY but I also am taxpayer who MUST pay taxes & support all kinds of people too lazy/entitled to work & pay their own bills.
After a while it gets to where hard working taxpayers just decide to STOP ALL THIS STUPID WELFARE SUPPORT!
You said" 8/3/18......This is a single mom. WHERE is the dad/sperm donor?"
My response... Maybe the dad is deceased?
Or was unfaithful in the relationship (as sometimes men are) and walked out on his family. Marriage is never a sure thing. The U.S. has one of the highest divorce rates. Marriages and relationships fall apart all the time.
Sometimes its not always the woman's fault. Even the rich go through divorce and have their relationships fail.
And why refer to the man as a 'sperm donor' in this case? If you look at it that way, everyone had a 'sperm donor' including you. None of us would be here without sperm. Maybe at some point he was more than a 'sperm donor'? Maybe he was a loving father and husband or supportive partner. Don't just relegate him to being a 'sperm donor'.
Yolanda Summers yes people need to be more understanding less judgemental! situations change every day!!!
HOPE KARMA DON'T GIVE YOU THE SAME TREATMENTS SHE IS GOING THROUGH. IF YOU DONT KNOW THESE PEOPLE STOP OVER JUDGING THEM. YOU NEVER KNOW YOU COULD BE THEM ONE DAY. KARMA
Most people don't know that code enforcement will help for some problems. Georgia has just updated their handbook.
Right get back with your baby daddy and make something work as a family 🤷🏽♀️
A lot of times renters take advantage
The problem is high rent
@@spoiledlunch1370
High rent caused by high taxes and mortgages.
Call Trump
Stop feeling sorry for them they want everything hand to them..
Too busy buying hair weaves and expensive wigs and clothes, shoes and etc pay your most important stuff first Rent and not keeping up with the Jones should have called rentals rights not having a no good man living with you or they say it's my baby daddy
ECSC
talking from experience huh