Rental Assistance Resources

Please note - the Atlanta Apartment Association does not administer any of these programs and cannot answer questions about them. Please contact the agencies listed below for additional information.
Georgia's State-wide Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The State of Georgia received $552 million from U.S. Treasury’s Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program to provide relief to individuals, families, and landlords whose finances have been negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be used to bring past-due utilities and rent current for households with rental arrears to be administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The money will be distributed directly to landlords/utility companies, and eligible applicants can receive up to 12-15 months of payment relief. Residents must have experienced a reduction in income, significant costs, or financial hardship due to COVID-19; demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and have a current household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI).
 

Property Owners & Managers Can Apply Directly for Funds on Behalf of Eligible Residents at https://georgiarentalassistance.ga.gov/
Phone: 833-827-7368 / 833-827-RENT

See AAA's Industry Guidance on Georgia's Rental Assistance Program (updated November 2021) for more information.

View presentation from DCA/GAA Rental Assistance Webinar for details on how to apply here: DCA Rental Assistance Presentation


Documents Required with Application
• Completed GRA Landlord Application
• Identification (State ID or passport)
• Proof of ownership or Authorization/Agreement to act on behalf of owner or management company
• Copy of lease
• Ledger of tenant’s payment history in 2020 and 2021
• W-9 and bank information for ACH payment
Metro Atlanta City and County Assistance Programs
City of Atlanta

The City of Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available to City of Atlanta residents ONLY. Funds may be used to cover past due rent, utilities, and move-in deposits as a result of impending eviction. Resident must provide documentation to prove identity,  income, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, and the amount of need-based on past due bills or a move-in deposit. To qualify, the resident must have a current income of 80%AMI or less (qualifying income is considered after job loss or financial hardship took place). See AMI chart and eligibility criteria here: https://relief.uwga.org/check-eligibility/

Type of Assistance: Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Funds can be applied to current/past due expenses for rent, gas utilities, electric utilities, water utilities, apartment security fees, security deposit, trash removal, and internet services. Some applicants may also be able to apply for assistance with 3 months of prospective payments as well.

Website/Contact Info: https://relief.uwga.org/

Residents Can Apply for Assistance Via:

• Access the client application by visiting www.unitedwayatlanta.org
• Text the keyword C19-ERA to 898-211 to be directed to the application page.
• Visit http://211online.unitedwayatlanta.org/

Cherokee County

Type of Assistance: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Funds can be applied to current/past due expenses for rent, gas utilities, electric utilities, water utilities, apartment security fees, security deposit, trash removal, and internet services. Some applicants may also be able to apply for assistance with 3 months of prospective payments as well. Resident must provide documentation to prove identity,  income, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, and the amount of need-based on past due bills or a move-in deposit. To qualify, the resident must have a current income of 80%AMI or less (qualifying income is considered after job loss or financial hardship took place).

Contact Info: Funds administered by Must Ministries at (770) 790-3926 and (770) 790-3927

Clayton County

Type of Assistance: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Funds can be applied to current/past due expenses for rent, gas utilities, electric utilities, water utilities, apartment security fees, security deposit, trash removal, and internet services. Some applicants may also be able to apply for assistance with 3 months of prospective payments as well. Resident must provide documentation to prove identity,  income, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, and the amount of need-based on past due bills or a move-in deposit. To qualify, the resident must have a current income of 80%AMI or less (qualifying income is considered after job loss or financial hardship took place).

Website/Contact Info: https://relief.claytoncountyga.gov/project-reset-eviction-assistance/

Cobb County

Type of Assistance: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Funds can be applied to current/past due expenses for rent, gas utilities, electric utilities, water utilities, apartment security fees, security deposit, trash removal, and internet services. Some applicants may also be able to apply for assistance with 3 months of prospective payments as well. Resident must provide documentation to prove identity,  income, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, and the amount of need-based on past due bills or a move-in deposit. To qualify, the resident must have a current income of 80%AMI or less (qualifying income is considered after job loss or financial hardship took place).

  • Cobb County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERA”) began taking applications on April 1, 2021. Please visit www.cobbcounty.org/ERA for program terms and eligibility. Here is some key information:
    • (a) Landlords and/or Tenants may apply.
    • (b) Please apply as soon as possible. There does NOT have to be an active eviction case pending to apply or receive assistance.
    • (c) Please apply with only one provider.
    • (d) If you’ve previously received assistance from one of the providers, please reapply with the same provider.
    • (e) All five providers are administering the identical federal program with the same initial application, documentation requirements, and ability to pay up to twelve (12) months of rent/utilities needed due to a COVID-19 hardship.

Website/Contact Info: Cobb County Resources

DeKalb County

Type of Assistance: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Funds administered through DeKalb County's Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition (TLAC) can be applied to current/past due expenses for rent, gas utilities, electric utilities, water utilities, apartment security fees, security deposit, trash removal, and internet services. Some applicants may also be able to apply for assistance with 3 months of prospective payments as well. Resident must provide documentation to prove identity,  income, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, and the amount of need-based on past due bills or a move-in deposit. To qualify, the resident must have a current income of 80%AMI or less (qualifying income is considered after job loss or financial hardship took place).

The County is now specifically pursuing applications for assistance from DeKalb County Landlords and Property Managers who have residents with impending evictions and substantial rent arrearage. Please find more information on the program and the landlord application attached.

Website/Contact Info: https://dekalbstatecourt.net/renthelp/

Email:    TLACinfo@dekalbcountyga.gov.

Forsyth County

Type of Assistance: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Funds can be applied to current/past due expenses for rent, gas utilities, electric utilities, water utilities, apartment security fees, security deposit, trash removal, and internet services. Some applicants may also be able to apply for assistance with 3 months of prospective payments as well. Resident must provide documentation to prove identity,  income, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, and the amount of need-based on past due bills or a move-in deposit. To qualify, the resident must have a current income of 80%AMI or less (qualifying income is considered after job loss or financial hardship took place).

Contact Info: Funds administered by: 

United Way of Forsyth County (240 Elm St.)

o   By phone: (770) 781-4110

o   By email: erap@unitedwayforsyth.com

 

The Place of Forsyth County, Inc (2550 The Place Circle)

o   By phone: (770) 887-1098

o   By email: Info@theplaceofforsyth.org

Fulton County

Type of Assistance: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Funds can be applied to current/past due expenses for rent, gas utilities, electric utilities, water utilities, apartment security fees, security deposit, trash removal, and internet services. Some applicants may also be able to apply for assistance with 3 months of prospective payments as well. Resident must provide documentation to prove identity,  income, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, and the amount of need-based on past due bills or a move-in deposit. To qualify, the resident must have a current income of 80%AMI or less (qualifying income is considered after job loss or financial hardship took place).

Website/Contact Info: https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/renthelp 

Fulton County Rental Assistance Seminar - Partnership Between Fulton County Government & AAA from Atlanta Apartment Association on Vimeo.

Gwinnett County

Type of Assistance: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Funds can be applied to current/past due expenses for rent, gas utilities, electric utilities, water utilities, apartment security fees, security deposit, trash removal, and internet services. Some applicants may also be able to apply for assistance with 3 months of prospective payments as well. Resident must provide documentation to prove identity,  income, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, and the amount of need-based on past due bills or a move-in deposit. To qualify, the resident must have a current income of 80%AMI or less (qualifying income is considered after job loss or financial hardship took place).

Website/Contact Info:  https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/newsandevents/covid-19response/resourcesandassistance

Hall County

Type of Assistance: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Funds can be applied to current/past due expenses for rent, gas utilities, electric utilities, water utilities, apartment security fees, security deposit, trash removal, and internet services. Some applicants may also be able to apply for assistance with 3 months of prospective payments as well. Resident must provide documentation to prove identity,  income, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, and the amount of need-based on past due bills or a move-in deposit. To qualify, the resident must have a current income of 80%AMI or less (qualifying income is considered after job loss or financial hardship took place).

Website/Contact Info: https://www.www.hallcounty.org/rentalassistance

Henry County

Type of Assistance: COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Funds can be applied to current/past due expenses for rent, gas utilities, electric utilities, water utilities, apartment security fees, security deposit, trash removal, and internet services. Some applicants may also be able to apply for assistance with 3 months of prospective payments as well. Resident must provide documentation to prove identity,  income, the loss of income caused by the pandemic, and the amount of need-based on past due bills or a move-in deposit. To qualify, the resident must have a current income of 80%AMI or less (qualifying income is considered after job loss or financial hardship took place).

Website/Contact Info: https://www.co.henry.ga.us/

Other Local and Regional Organizations Offering Rental Assistance

STAR-C

Star-C’s Eviction Relief Fund is a rent assistance program that helps qualified residents pay their rent and continue to raise their children in the same community. The program collaborates with landlords that operate affordable/workforce apartments. Property owners or managers prescreen and nominate their tenants for this program.

The property must provide rents that are affordable for tenants earning up to 80% of area median income and be near an elementary school in the bottom 1/3 of schools as ranked by schooldigger.com. The landlord must sign the tenant’s rent-relief application and provide a tenant ledger. The landlord will waive late fees and 10% of the outstanding rent balance.

Geography Served: Current Funding for Communities in Cobb County or Families with students in Atlanta Public Schools.

Type of Assistance: Emergency Rent Assistance and payment of arrears up to $4,800 per household (some funds are restricted to COVID-19 related hardship)

Website/Contact Info: https://www.star-c.org/eviction-relief/

404-698-3781 

hello@star-c.org

HOPE Atlanta
Rental Assistance, Eviction Prevention, Transportation

Phone: 404-817-7070
Website: www.hopeatlanta.org

 

Salvation Army
Rental Assistance, Utilities, Food

Phone: 770-724-1640 Main Number
Phone: 770-724-1649 Rent or utility assistance.

 

St. Vincent de Paul Society
Rental Assistance
Assistance Line: (678) 892-6163
Website: www.svdpgeorgia.org

 

Modest Needs
Rental Assistance, Utilities, Food
Website: https://www.modestneeds.org/

 

Midtown Assistance Center

Rental Assistance, Utilities, Food

Assistance Line: 404-681-5777
Main Office: 404-681-0470
Website: http://www.midtownassistancectr.org/

The Center for Family Resources
Rental Assistance, Food Pantry

995 Roswell St NE #308, Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: 770-428-2601
Website: www.thecfr.org

Resident Relief Foundation

Rental Assistance
Website: https://residentrelieffoundation.org/

 

Rent Assistance

Rental Assistance
Phone: (641) 715-3900 Extension: 190247
Website: https://www.rentassistance.us/