As funds dwindle, DeKalb to halt assistance program for renters, landlords
Due to high demand and a resulting lack of remaining funds, DeKalb County will soon stop accepting pandemic relief applications from residents and landlords.
Steve Bradshaw, the presiding officer for the county commission, announced Tuesday on Facebook that applications to the Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition program will not be accepted after 5 p.m. Wednesday. He said there’s a large number of pending applications and that more than 91% of the funds have already been disbursed.
The program, which had a rocky start including an attempted cyberattack, has picked up steam over the past few months. The program, which has a budget of $21.6 million, has less than $2 million remaining to give away to residents and landlords who are struggling to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bradshaw said 2,425 families and landlords have been helped so far through the program.
He added that the average applicant received roughly $7,500, which could go toward past-due rent and utility bill payments. About 5,700 applications remain pending as of Nov. 15.
For more information on the DeKalb Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition program, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/renthelp or call 404-371-3201. Residents can also apply to the Georgia Rental Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Community Affairs, at www.georgiarentalassistance.ga.gov or by calling 833-827-7368.
About the Author
Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. He's been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people's lives.
