Renter say she feels ‘failed’ by the state after it approved rental assistance but didn’t provide it

ATLANTA — A Clayton County woman who didn’t want to be identified — because she works for a metro Atlanta housing authority — told Channel 2′s Ashli Lincoln she never thought she would be on the receiving end, as a person needing help with rental assistance.

“These landlords have a business, they need their money,” she said.

In January, she said that she applied for rental assistance with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

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She said she didn’t hear anything for more than a month until she received a phone call in March alerting her to her approval.

“You’ve been approved for six months, payment should be released to your landlord,” she said.

She said she was alerted by her landlord that the money was never paid. Her online profile with the state shows communication with a state employee who told her to fill out paperwork so that the money could be sent to her landlord.

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But since that follow up, she said she had not heard from the state nor received any rental assistance money.

“This is very frustrating because I don’t know if I’m going to be homeless,” she said.

A spokesperson with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs said the renter’s application was denied.

This is despite the renter providing documents to Channel 2 showing that she was previously approved. When asked why she was denied and if she was informed, the state said it could not disclose that information.

However, the state said it is willing to look further into her case, to help her avoid an eviction.

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The state sent the following tips on the process for the approval of rental assistance funds:

• The Department of Community Affairs has a 30-day goal for processing and completing applications.
• DCA prioritizes and expedites applications that involve emergency situations such as evictions.
• There is no waiting period after an applicant is approved. Generally, approved applications are processed for payment on the same day unless the applicant has been approved for future rent payments which will be paid on the due/future date. A qualified applicant may receive up to 18 months of assistance, which may include future rent payments.
• Applicants should check the rental assistance portal for their status. Funds are usually disbursed via direct deposit. If the status is “paid” and the applicant has not received the funds, the applicant should check with their bank to discuss possible delays.

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