The World is watching Cobb County

From the desk of We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association

It was weeks before Thanksgiving and all throughout town, there were celebrations aplenty but for several families, they were homeless bound.

“This is an unfortunate truth to bear, especially before the biggest holiday and in the midst of a city enjoying being champions again,” says Monica DeLancy, Director of We Thrive Riverside, a nationally recognized resource organization. “The calls I have been receiving are beyond sad. There are mothers with children forced to live in their cars. Families having to double and triple up just to make space for sisters, cousins and grandmothers being evicted.”

The Braves gave hope to plenty by returning Atlanta to World Championship Status. Now, DeLancy says it is time for this same energy to be applied to restore hope to the many that ae faced with the tasks of finding new schools, new jobs and new homes in the wake of what is expected to be a homeless epidemic looming in time for 2022.

“It hurt me to see celebrations and the parade just as my team and I were fielding calls about the refusal of complexes to renew leases and this was even after past rent was paid. The system is not playing fair. If we wouldn't support unfair treatment of our Braves team, why are we allowing our brave families to be treated poorly?”

Cobb County magistrate court was wall to wall with evictions primarily women of color before the pandemic

This is a sentiment shared by many in attendance at a Renter’s Rights Forum where DeLancy and one of her previous clients, Natacha Martin, were reunited.

Though Martin’s Eviction happened months ago, she says the evictions now are rolling out double time and alarming her all over again.

After speaking with Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens he was receptive to me sharing resources for residents who are evicted from homes

“There’s so much that is lost during evictions but we have a chance here to give back,” states Martin. DeLancy agrees.

:”We can do this together. This will take a team but with businesses and local government working together, we can issue a statewide eviction moratorium in honor of the Braves Win! This way we can all truly celebrate together. That’s real team work!”

In less than two months, a new year will be upon us. DeLancy states it is imperative we do not lose sight of the prize.

“In 2020 we got clear vision, in 20 21 we were 1- united in our efforts , now we are approaching 2022- this is the year for breakthrough. This housing, education, healthcare and unemployment barrier stops with us, we must find a way. This is on us, Cobb County .Let’s win, the world is watching”