Efforts proceeding as 21 families are now relocated from Forest Cove Apartments through collaborative nonprofits and support from City of Atlanta

ATLANTA – June 30, 2022 – Efforts to relocate residents of the condemned Forest Cove apartments in southeast Atlanta are gaining momentum. As of today, 21 of the 202 families have been relocated to safe, quality apartments or homes in the metropolitan region.

In partnership with 12 nonprofits and four public entities whose expertise spans case management, education, housing, law, mental health, relocation, school district nuances, transportation and more, the collaborative team has sourced many of the needed one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes while simultaneously working with residents and landlords to match needs and availabilities in this best-effort initiative. “In the midst of challenging times and the tightest housing market in decades, the team has rallied and worked collectively to provide housing options to every resident,” said Frank Fernandez, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. “Together, we are providing our Atlanta neighbors choice, which helps families make decisions about their future home based on their specific needs. I’m grateful for the dedicated teamwork across all our nonprofit and housing partners.”

In an all-team effort to move the families as soon as possible, the focus began with families of school children, to ensure time to acclimate to their new neighborhood before school begins in August. For each family’s successful transition, several community-wide sessions were held explaining overviews of the relocation options. Following these informational events, each family’s care includes the following steps to sourcing the right living accommodations:

1. each family visits three housing options with transportation provided,
2. family selects a unit and completes necessary documents with help from Open Doors,
3. inspection of the unit occurs and the hold fee is issued,
4. relocation assistance package provides furniture, moving supplies and moving firm options,
5. while families pack for their move, utilities are established in the residents’ name, movers are scheduled and move-in fees are paid.
6. Throughout the transition, neighborhood partners are stepping up to provide additional services including camps for children, fresh produce, and access to clean shower facilities on various days and weeks throughout the evolving summer season.

These relocation steps, and others pursuant to the Uniform Relocation Act, are facilitated by APD Urban Planning & Management, LLC, Open Doors and the Atlanta Voluntary Lawyers Foundation in partnership with the City of Atlanta, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, and The Millennia Companies^®. “Our collective efforts to help our Atlanta neighbors find the right home for their families continues to evolve to meet their needs — including phone trees, email and postcard campaigns, working with resources to secure transportation to apartment visits, and more,” continued Fernandez. “No detail is too small to help Forest Cove residents find the safe, quality housing they deserve.”

To ensure residents’ safety during the relocation, cameras are being installed throughout Forest Cove. The Atlanta Police Foundation will facilitate the installation. The City of Atlanta passed legislation donating $75,000 which the Community Foundation matched dollar-for-dollar.

On May 16, Mayor Dickens signed legislation allocating the first $1.5 million of a planned $9.1 million City investment to support the relocation of Forest Cove residents. The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is facilitating the relocation in partnership with the City and The Millennia Companies.

During a call with the Atlanta Apartment Association in May, Dickens urged property owners and managers to help secure housing units for families being relocated. The Mayor is renewing his thanks for those who heeded the request – and asking them to help maintain a steady inventory of available units, allowing affected families ample choice in selecting their new home.

Property owners with vacant three- or four-bedroom options are urged to contact housing@atlantaga.gov. Dickens commented, “Taking care of our neighbors at Forest Cove is a chance for Atlantans to demonstrate what Dr. King asked of us when he talked about the inclusive, beloved community.”

While relocated, the families’ rents will continue to be subsidized by federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act and from a federal housing program administered through a pass-through lease made possible by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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Media Contacts

Nichole Owens, 770.383.2307
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
nowens@cfgreateratlanta.org

Michael Smith
City of Atlanta
atlmedia@atlantaga.gov

Valerie Jerome, 216.210.3287
The Millennia Companies
vjerome@mhmltd.com

Photo credit: Saporta Report, Sean Keenan