FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Thursday evening’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court stating the federal eviction moratorium will need to come to an end is a game changer for many people. The decision will allow landlords to evict tenants behind on their rent.
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Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts and the county’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer Pamela Roshell announced their county will expand their program of offering relief funds earlier in the week.
“Now we will be able to cover the full back rent for these families and be able to prevent even more evictions, be able to divert homelessness,” Roshell said.
The county said they have tens of millions in Federal Pandemic Relief funds ready to go for renters and also to help landlords collect their rent.
According to Pitts and Roshell, over 2,000 tenants have been approved in the county, but the two said thousands more are still waiting to be processed.
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Channel 2 Action News reporter Steve Gehlbach spoke to one Fulton County tenant now getting the help she needs to get by.
Shamara Feggins told Gehlbach she’s had two battles with COVID-19 losing work hours and health coverage during the pandemic. Feggins said she was thousands behind on her rent.
“It’s just been really rough,” Feggins said.
She told Gehlbach she got the call this week that Fulton County’s rental assistance program will be there for her for up to 18 months. That will give Feggins the chance to pay her back rent and utility payments.
“Before that phone call, I was waiting for a notice on the door,” Feggins said.
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That notice was apparently coming as Feggins said her apartment was about to file for eviction and with the Supreme Court’s decision Thursday night, she could have soon found herself out on the street.
“At the end of the day everyone has a business to run,” Feggins said. “But my life was turned upside down and I didn’t know what day it was going to end.”
On Friday night, a group called “Cancel the Rents” held a rally on the steps of the Fulton County Courthouse. They said they are outraged at the Supreme Court decision and want the president and Congress to act. The group believes authorities should continue with billions of relief dollars available for renters in need.
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