Cobb County Chairwoman Townhall meeting

Dear Chairwoman Cupid,

Please review my statement

The housing crisis in Cobb County is about more than visible homelessness it is also deeply tied to how quickly residents renters are pushed out of their homes. Homeowners get behind on their mortgage there and is counseling refinancing options and other alternatives however renters can have 6 weeks from the time they are behind on rent to be evicted .
I had call this morning from a lady who said she was only late this month for rent and she already have a court date May 8th. Cobb county evictions are held on Fridays at 9am and 1:30 pm and 90 percent of the people in eviction court in Cobb are black women.
Many long-term tenants living in corporately managed properties are being evicted after falling just one or two months behind on rent, with little opportunity to recover or access meaningful alternatives.
While rental assistance programs exist, they are often short-term solutions that fail to address the long-term stability families need. Over the past 19 years of on-the-ground research, I have witnessed troubling patterns. Elderly residents, including grandmothers who had lived in their homes for over a decade, have been evicted after brief financial setbacks. I have also seen corporate landlords refuse rental payments from tenants who raised concerns about unsafe or neglected maintenance conditions. In some cases, these disputes dragged on in court for 3 years and the corporate landlords paid for lawyers to defend their position, during which time repairs were not made. Meanwhile, unpaid rent accumulated for other residents , ultimately leading to eviction filings that displaced over 50 families, .that is a form of discrimination to deny rent for residents at the same time evict residents for non payment.

Some of these families are now living in extended-stay hotels in communities like Riverside, near Six Flags amusement Park, choosing to remain there so their children can continue attending the same schools.
This instability contributes to higher student mobility, disrupts educational outcomes, and places additional strain on already vulnerable households.
Although programs such as rapid rehousing, eviction prevention, and motel-to-home initiatives are available, barriers still exist. Some residents approved for assistance find themselves limited to housing options with restrictive or unfavorable leasing terms, which can perpetuate cycles of instability rather than resolve them. Or settling to reside in apartments with no modernization no amenities and painted over plywood that covers broken windows.( the picture that is attached) asking for $1100 in monthly rent.

If Cobb County is truly committed to supporting families and strengthening communities, there must be a more intentional and balanced approach. This includes engaging corporate landlords in meaningful dialogue about eviction practices and encouraging policies that prioritize housing stability. Housing cannot remain a one-sided system. It must be inclusive, fair, and structured in a way that reduces displacement, supports educational continuity, strengthens economic development, and improves quality of life for all residents.

Thank you
Monica DeLancy
We Thrive on Riverside Renters Association