Atlanta City Councilmember Kelsea Bond introduced a resolution this week calling for a comprehensive audit of the city's Housing Help Center, the eviction-prevention program meant to keep Atlanta residents in their homes during financial emergencies.
The Housing Help Center launched with federal pandemic relief funds and has distributed millions in emergency rental assistance since 2021. Bond's resolution argues the city lacks sufficient data on whether the program is achieving its core goal of preventing displacement. The audit would examine how many residents who received assistance ultimately stayed housed, how long the application process takes, and whether the center's resources are reaching the neighborhoods with the highest eviction rates.
Atlanta Civic Circle reported the resolution comes as the city's pandemic-era rental assistance funding winds down and local officials weigh whether to continue the program with city dollars. Bond has argued that without clear performance metrics, the council cannot make an informed decision about the program's future.
The Housing Help Center operates out of the Department of City Planning and coordinates with nonprofit partners to process applications and distribute funds. Residents facing eviction can apply for up to 12 months of rental assistance, though wait times have varied widely depending on funding availability and application volume.
The resolution will move through the council's Community Development committee before reaching a full council vote.
