The Atlanta-based nonprofit that launched an Eviction Relief Fund during the COVID pandemic has now assisted over 5,500 families so they could stay in their apartments.
Marjy Stagmeier, a landlord of affordable housing in the Georgia capital city, is helping ease the burden on tenants through fundraising for the nonprofit she founded, the Star-C Program.
What started as a $50,000 GoFundMe campaign has now surpassed $16.5 million for rent payments to help bridge the gap for those in need.
"Many renters are stable residents, but they can experience temporary challenges and can't pay rent," says Ms. Stagmeier, who has over 30 years of experience as an apartment landlord.
"While the eviction assistance during COVID was helpful, monthly rent increases and inflation on household essentials have outpaced salary increases, creating a financial burden on tenants who are now making tough choices between food, rent, and utilities."
Stagmeier and her partners studied the eviction crisis in Atlanta and determined lack of payment is not only an income issue.
"In one instance, we had a long-term legacy tenant, and her pension check was stolen," Stagmeier says. "Evicting her and her grandchildren made no sense, but eviction is the mindset of many property owners to cure rent default. But no one 'wins' in those scenarios."
Other examples of assistance happened during the federal government shutdown where Star-C was able to assist Atlanta TSA employees while their paychecks were suspended.
The eviction-intervention model inspired the board of Star-C to work with other like-minded landlords. The program was rolled out to the greater Atlanta community as part of Star-C's mission.
To date, over 330 apartment communities representing 64,000 apartment units have signed into the Star-C platform.
Star-C partners with conscientious apartment owners who are committed to keeping rents affordable for families living on incomes at the poverty level or up to 80% of area median income.
PLEASE NOTE: Currently, the nonprofit is not accepting new applications for rental assistance, because it has "reached its maximum capacity for the current funding cycle".
But the Eviction Relief Fund also connects tenants with other resources—like after school programs, summer camps, medical services, Cub Scouts, playgrounds, and food assistance.
"Many children have come through the Star-C after-school program, who are now doctors, plumbers, and school teachers, earning good wages that moved them out of poverty," Stagmeier told GNN back in 2021.
"Almost 100 families have elevated from renting to home ownership because we kept rents low so families can save their money."
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