Eviction prevention and rehousing Cobb County.
Eviction help is available to renters that are facing a short term crisis in Cobb County. The programs offered, which are paid for using HUD grants and organized locally by the Continuum of Care, can help keep a family in their current home or apartment using a variety of tools. The support services which may be provided as a form of eviction prevention to qualified tenants are listed below.
In order for anyone to get any type of help, there needs to be funding available. This will normally be provided to agencies in Cobb County from a federal program known as Emergency Solution Grants. HUD will require that the money be used to provide local street outreach for the currently homeless, emergency shelter, eviction prevention, as well as assist with rapid re-housing assistance. So the ESG program is strictly focused on housing matters.
Resources for stopping evictions in Cobb County
Tenants will need to call upon the Continuum of Care affiliated agencies for assistance. There may be cash grants for paying for rental or utility bill arrears, and any help is combined with counseling. The financial aid for paying housing costs may provide some additional time to the client so they are not evicted, but a focus of the agencies will be to provide support to enable formerly homeless individuals and families to move toward long term independent living.
Each agency in the Marietta Georgia region has a different focus. Some use legal aid to stop evictions, others will help tenants apply for rental arrears assistance or grants for energy bills. Another option available in Cobb County involves landlord and tenant mediation, and this is when an independent third party works with all parties to find a solution other than evictions.
When applying to these programs, the applicant will need to show proof of need as well as a copy of the lease. While assistance can be given to immigrants as well as Spanish speakers, proof of residency and identification is needed for all household members.
Free legal aid for evictions – This is for issues such as repairs, disputes over security deposits or rent, and civil matters.
-Grants from ESG – This program offers money for rental costs.
-LIHEAP – While not the main intent, the low income energy bill assistance program can assist with utility bills in Cobb County, if that is what could lead to an eviction.
When the eviction can't be stopped, as many the family is too far in the whole, funding runs out, or the applicant can't pay future rent with a government subsidy, then agencies will help with the transition to homelessness. They will provide information on local shelters or motel voucher programs. Before the homeless event occurs, the individual will be provided food, clothing, hygiene items, and more.
Rehousing for the homeless
The applicant needs to meet the definition set by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This will mean they need to be living in a shelter or a place not humane for human living. The applicant can also be residing in a motel using a government issued voucher, or maybe they were just evicted and have no place to go. Other conditions may also qualify the person for Rapid-rehousing.
The priority is given to a certain applicant as well. Many of the agencies in Cobb County will try to provide housing for children first, and they can be from a two parent household or maybe a single mother. It will not matter. Other priorities for rehousing are for veterans, senior citizens, and those with a disability that have their income from SSDI.
Cobb County tenancy support services
This is provide to all clients of any program listed above. This is for both the rehousing and eviction services. This will help the family stabilize their situation so they can maintain their apartment over time.
The applicant may be placed into a job training center, some of which are located in the city of Marietta. While there, they can learn how to budget properly and save money. Tenancy support will also review landlord and tenant legal rights around evictions, help with job placement, and arrange child care for single parents so they can work. Much more is also arranged in an effort to end the cycle of homelessness.
Apply to Cobb County eviction and homeless prevention programs
Any type of eviction help as well as rehousing is provided to members of the community that meet income requirements and that are in a crisis. The money is given to people from government entities in Cobb County, non-profit organizations, and others. They also use ESG funds and are part of the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission. For referrals, call 770-428-2601.
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