A nonprofit organization in Atlanta has provided $16.5 million in eviction relief to help more than 5,500 families stay in their homes. Marjy Stagmeier, who has over 30 years of experience as a landlord of affordable housing in Atlanta, started the Star-C Program. This initiative began as a $50,000 GoFundMe campaign and has now raised significant funds for rent assistance.
Stagmeier explained that many renters are stable but face temporary difficulties that prevent them from paying rent. She noted that while eviction support during the COVID pandemic was beneficial, rising rents and inflation have made it harder for tenants to manage their finances. Stagmeier highlighted the case of a long-time tenant whose pension check was stolen, emphasizing that eviction is not always the solution for rental problems.
The Star-C Program also assisted TSA employees in Atlanta during a federal government shutdown when they were not receiving paychecks. The success of their eviction intervention model encouraged the organization to collaborate with other landlords who share similar goals. Currently, over 330 apartment communities, representing 64,000 units, are part of the Star-C platform. The organization partners with apartment owners who want to maintain affordable rents for families earning at or below 80% of the area median income.
As of now, the nonprofit is not accepting new applications for rental assistance as it has reached its maximum capacity for funding. However, the Eviction Relief Fund also provides connections to other resources like after-school programs, summer camps, and food assistance. Stagmeier noted that many children from their programs have gone on to successful careers, with nearly 100 families achieving homeownership thanks to low rents that allowed them to save money.
Would you consider supporting such initiatives to help families in need?
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Source: Good News Network, by Good News Network