The Atlanta metro area leads the country in eviction filings. New research shows evictions in Atlanta are three times the national average.
Evictions soared after the city lifted its COVID-era eviction moratorium in 2023. More than 144,000 evictions were filed in 2025 across Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, and DeKalb counties.
According to Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, Atlanta landlords filed one eviction for every four renters.
Renters complain that they face evictions after even catching up on their rent payments.
Awodele Omilami, CEO of Hosea Helps, said people in Atlanta aren’t earning wages that keep up with housing costs.
“People that are making $15 an hour are struggling,” Omilami said. “People that are making $20 an hour are struggling. So what we’re seeing is that a single individual making three times minimum wage can’t afford rent.”
Omilami added, “We’re standing on the edge of the cliff with all these families running toward us, trying to catch as many as we can.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced a new two-year pilot program that offers no-fee $500 microloans to help tenants avoid evictions. The program is part of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, a $5 billion project to improve housing and affordability in the city.
Dickens said households that receive the loans will have to pay $20 a week over 25 weeks to satisfy the loans with no fees and no interest.
Those interested in participating in the loan program can apply here or contact Atlanta’s Housing Help Center.