Help With Rent in Atlanta, GA: Local Programs, Contacts, and Practical Steps

Struggling to pay rent in Atlanta, Georgia is more common than many people realize, especially with rising housing costs across the metro area. The good news: there are local programs, nonprofits, and government agencies that may be able to help if you act quickly and stay organized.

This guide walks through where to find rent assistance in Atlanta, how the process usually works, and what to do right now if you’re facing late rent, eviction, or a financial emergency.

First Steps If You Can’t Pay Rent in Atlanta

Before diving into specific programs, take a few immediate actions:

1. Talk to your landlord early.
Explain your situation in writing (email or text) and ask about:

• A short-term payment plan
• A partial payment now with the rest later
• A late fee waiver if you can pay by a certain date

Many Atlanta landlords prefer a plan over starting eviction.

2. Gather key documents.
Most rent assistance programs in Atlanta will ask for:

• Photo ID
• Lease agreement
• Proof of income (pay stubs, SSI/SSDI, unemployment, etc.)
• Proof of hardship (job loss notice, medical bills, etc.)
• Late notice or eviction notice, if you have one
• Utility bills, if seeking combined rent/utility help

Having these ready can speed things up.

3. Prioritize agencies in Fulton and DeKalb Counties.
Most Atlanta rent help is organized by county and sometimes by ZIP code, so focus on agencies that serve the City of Atlanta and your specific county.

Major Sources of Rent Assistance in Atlanta

Atlanta’s rent help typically comes from three main types of organizations:

1. Local government agencies (Fulton County, City of Atlanta, DeKalb County)
2. Nonprofit organizations and charities
3. Faith-based and community groups

Below is a summary of where to start.

Quick Reference: Key Rent Help Contacts in Atlanta

United Way 2-1-1: Your Best Starting Point

If you’re not sure where to turn, United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2-1-1 service is often the fastest way to find rent help programs that are:

• Currently taking applications
• Serving your specific ZIP code
• Focused on rent, utilities, or eviction prevention

How to reach 2-1-1 from Atlanta:

• Dial: 2-1-1 from most phones in the Atlanta area
• Alternate phone: 404-614-1000 (if 2-1-1 doesn’t work)
• You can ask for: “rent assistance near [your ZIP code] in Atlanta”

They can provide names, phone numbers, and basic eligibility information for local programs, including smaller neighborhood-based nonprofits that are harder to find on your own.

City of Atlanta & County Housing Resources

City of Atlanta Programs and Offices

The City of Atlanta partners with nonprofits to offer housing stability and homelessness prevention programs. While the details change over time, you can usually:

• Ask about emergency rental assistance, homelessness prevention, or rapid rehousing programs
• Get connected to agencies that manage city-funded rent help

Key office for information:

City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Human Services
55 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main line (City Hall): 404-330-6000

Ask to be directed to housing or homelessness prevention resources.

Fulton County: If You Live in Fulton (Including Much of Atlanta)

If your Atlanta address is in Fulton County, you can look into housing help through:

Fulton County Department of Community Development
137 Peachtree St SW, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-612-7390

This office coordinates housing programs and can:

• Explain current rental assistance or homelessness prevention offerings
• Refer you to partnering agencies that issue payments directly to landlords or utility providers for eligible households

DeKalb County: If You Live in East Atlanta or Nearby

Parts of Atlanta fall within DeKalb County (such as East Atlanta and some neighborhoods along Memorial Drive and Clifton Road). If your address is in DeKalb:

DeKalb County Community Development Department
150 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Suite 330
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 404-286-3308

Ask about:

• Emergency assistance to prevent eviction
• Rental and utility assistance funded through county or federal programs

Some programs only accept applications during certain periods, so it’s worth calling to ask when to apply and what documents you need.

Nonprofit and Community Organizations in Atlanta

Many nonprofit organizations in Atlanta help with rent, utilities, and emergency housing support, especially for low-income households, families, seniors, and people leaving homelessness.

Below are some well-known starting points.

Gateway Center (Downtown Atlanta)

Gateway Center focuses on individuals and families experiencing or at immediate risk of homelessness.

Gateway Center
275 Pryor St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-215-6600

Services commonly include:

• Emergency shelter and transitional support
• Connection to rapid rehousing programs
• Referrals to agencies that can help with rental deposits or short-term rent

If you’re already unhoused or one step away from it, Gateway Center can often connect you with a network of Atlanta partners.

Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command

The Salvation Army in Atlanta may offer emergency financial assistance programs when funding is available.

Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command
861 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30314
Phone: 404-486-2700

Support may include:

• Help with past-due rent
• Assistance with utilities to prevent shutoff
• Connection to shelter and longer-term case management

Funding often changes, so ask specifically:
“Do you have any rent assistance or eviction prevention funds available right now for my ZIP code?”

Neighborhood and Faith-Based Help

In Atlanta, many smaller organizations and churches offer limited rent help or one-time aid. These programs often:

• Serve specific neighborhoods or congregations
• Have small, quickly-used funds
• Require an intake appointment or case management

United Way 2-1-1 is generally the quickest way to identify:

• Churches or faith-based programs near your Atlanta ZIP code
• Neighborhood nonprofits in places like West End, Old Fourth Ward, Mechanicsville, East Point, or Clarkston

Eviction in Atlanta: Understanding the Process and Getting Legal Help

If you’ve already received an eviction notice or court papers in Atlanta, timing is critical.

Basic Overview of Eviction in Atlanta (Georgia Law)

In Georgia, including Atlanta:

• A landlord can file for eviction (called a dispossessory action) if you’re behind on rent or violate the lease.
• You typically receive court papers from the Fulton County or DeKalb County courts, depending on where you live.
• You usually have a short window to file an answer (often 7 days after being served). If you don’t respond, the landlord may get a default judgment.

Because rules and timelines can change, it’s wise to get local legal guidance quickly.

Free or Low-Cost Legal Help for Atlanta Tenants

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF)
Focus: Tenants in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County facing housing issues.

AVLF offers:

• Free legal help for eviction defense for eligible low-income tenants
• Help with unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions
• Workshops and sometimes on-site help at certain courthouses

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF)
54 Ellis St NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-521-0790

Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP)
Focus: Low-income Georgians outside of certain metro areas and some special populations.

Georgia Legal Services Program – Atlanta regional contacts
Phone (main statewide line): 1-833-457-7529

Ask if they cover your specific Atlanta address and what housing help may be available.

Tenant Tip:
If you get eviction papers in Atlanta:

• Do not ignore them. File an answer with the court by the deadline listed.
• Bring all your paperwork (lease, payment records, texts with landlord) to court.
• Contact AVLF or another legal aid group as soon as possible.

Utility Help in Atlanta (Often Tied to Rent Stability)

Even if you’re barely keeping up with rent, overdue utilities can push a household into crisis. Many Atlanta agencies help with power, gas, and water bills, especially during emergencies or extreme weather.

Georgia Power, Natural Gas, and City of Atlanta Water

While policies change, you can:

• Call your utility provider and explain your hardship.
• Ask about:
  • Payment plans
  • Deferred payment arrangements
  • Deposit waivers or reductions (for eligible customers)
  • Referrals to community assistance programs

For example:

• Georgia Power Customer Service: 1-888-660-5890
• City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (Water/Sewer): 404-546-0311

Many rent assistance programs in Atlanta either:

• Include utility help as part of homelessness prevention, or
• Require proof that utilities are current or in a payment plan to approve rent help.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Rent Assistance in Atlanta

Demand for rent help in Atlanta is high, and funds are often limited. A few practical steps can make applications smoother and more successful.

1. Apply Early and Widely

• Don’t wait until the day before eviction court if you can help it.
• Contact multiple agencies that serve your ZIP code.
• Keep a simple log of who you called, when, and what they said. This helps if a case manager wants to see that you’ve been actively seeking help.

2. Be Ready With Documentation

Most Atlanta programs want clear proof of:

• Income (pay stubs, benefit letters, child support, etc.)
• Hardship (lost job, reduced hours, illness, unexpected expenses)
• Housing status (lease, landlord’s info, eviction notice if applicable)

Having a folder—paper or digital—with:

• Your lease
• Your ID
• Recent bank statements
• Utility bills can save days of back-and-forth.

3. Know Common Eligibility Factors

While every program is different, Atlanta rent assistance often looks at:

• Income level compared to local median income
• Household size
• Whether you’re at immediate risk of homelessness (eviction notice, shutoff notice, or staying with friends/relatives)
• Whether you’ve received rent help before within a certain time period

If one agency says you don’t qualify, ask:

• “Do you know another Atlanta program that might help someone in my situation?”

4. Work With a Case Manager When Possible

Some programs assign a case manager who can:

• Help you organize paperwork
• Connect you to job search, food assistance, or healthcare resources
• Advocate with landlords to accept payment arrangements or delayed payments

Organizations like Gateway Center, Salvation Army, and larger community nonprofits in Atlanta frequently use this model.

If You’re Already Homeless or Couch-Surfing in Atlanta

If you’ve already lost your housing or are bouncing between friends and family in Atlanta, focus on:

• Shelter and transitional housing options
• Rapid rehousing programs that help with deposits and first month’s rent
• Street outreach teams if you’re unsheltered

Starting points:

• Gateway Center (Downtown Atlanta) – 404-215-6600
• United Way 2-1-1 – ask for “emergency shelter,” “rapid rehousing,” or “homelessness prevention in Atlanta”

Let them know:

• Where you slept last night
• If you have children with you
• Any safety concerns (domestic violence, medical needs, disabilities)

Families with children may be prioritized in some programs, and there are sometimes special programs for survivors of domestic violence and young adults.

Key Takeaways for Getting Rent Help in Atlanta, GA

• Act quickly. The earlier you reach out—before or right after you fall behind—the more options you usually have.
• Start with 2-1-1. United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2-1-1 line can point you to current rent and utility help in your part of the city.
• Contact local government offices. Fulton County, DeKalb County, and the City of Atlanta each coordinate housing assistance and can direct you to active programs.
• Use nonprofit support. Organizations like Gateway Center, Salvation Army, and neighborhood-based nonprofits may offer direct financial aid or connect you to programs that do.
• Get legal help if eviction is filed. Groups such as Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) and Georgia Legal Services Program can help you understand your rights and options.
• Stay organized. Keep your documents together and track your calls and applications so you can move quickly when a program opens or a case manager follows up.

Rent assistance in Atlanta can take effort to find and apply for, but many households do get help each year. Reaching out, staying persistent, and using the local resources listed above will give you the best chance of stabilizing your housing.