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Atlanta leads nation as eviction filings surge
Metro Atlanta landlords filed approximately 144,000 evictions last year, which is three times the national average.
ATLANTA - Landlords across metro Atlanta filed 144,000 evictions last year, driving the region to the highest eviction rate in the nation.
Atlanta eviction crisis
What we know:
Metro Atlanta is facing an eviction crisis after landlords filed 144,000 evictions across Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties last year.
According to Princeton University's Eviction Lab, 24 out of every 100 renter households in the area faced an eviction filing, which is three times the national average of seven to eight per 100 households. The local filing rate exceeds that of New York City.
Researchers noted that while most landlords rarely evict, a small group of property owners filed hundreds of cases.
Roughly 15% of all metro evictions occurred in just 100 buildings.
Dig deeper:
For example, the Reserve at Stone Creek in Stone Mountain had nearly 400 filings last year, while East Perimeter Pointe near Decatur logged 384.
Researchers emphasized that a filing does not automatically mean the eviction went through.
Local housing challenges
What we don't know:
Officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of physical evictions completed out of the 144,000 court filings recorded last year. It remains unclear how many tenants successfully resolved their cases in court or found alternative housing options before removal.
Rising costs and relief
By the numbers:
Eviction Lab researcher Juan Pablo Garnham explained that evictions in Atlanta move quickly and remain inexpensive for property owners, while renters often lack the resources to find immediate solutions. He noted that cities like New York maintain stronger tenant regulations, whereas Atlanta struggles with a shortage of affordable housing as rent increases continue to outpace income growth.
To help combat tenant displacement, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced a new pilot program last week. The two-year initiative provides interest-free $500 microloans to assist residents in avoiding eviction.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from Princeton University's Eviction Lab researchers, who analyzed court records across five metro counties, as well as statements from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.