Metro Atlanta is leading the nation in eviction filings, with approximately 142,047 filings recorded from June 2025 to June 2026, according to new data from The Eviction Lab, a Princeton University-based research team that tracks eviction trends across the country.
Researchers analyzed 572,679 renter households across Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties, where renters pay an average of $1,795 per month.
The region’s eviction rate has remained high for years since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers point to factors including rising living expenses and a shortage of affordable housing, with the current eviction filing rate at approximately 24%.
The data also shows a 36% serial filing rate, 14% of households threatened with eviction, and 10,218 filings in the most recent month.
The impact on Black renters has been particularly significant. Although Black residents constitute approximately 53% of renters, they account for 69% of eviction filings. From June 2025 to June 2026, there were approximately 74,998 filings involving Black renters, compared with 21,396 involving white renters and 4,787 involving Hispanic renters. Women also represent a significant portion of those affected, making up 54% of renters and 51% of eviction filings.
Under Georgia Code Title 44 – Property, Chapter 7 – Landlord and Tenant, Article 3 – Dispossessory Proceedings (49 through 59), if a tenant refuses to pay the amount owed or fails to surrender possession after receiving a notice to vacate or pay the past-due rent, late fees, utilities, and other charges within three business days, the property owner or the owner’s authorized agent or attorney may file an affidavit under oath with the appropriate court.
Another factor is that Georgia does not have a statewide grace period for late rent payments, meaning tenants generally cannot rely on an automatic grace period before a landlord can take action, according to RentLateFee.com.
Resources for Atlanta Residents Facing Eviction
The City of Atlanta Eviction Diversion Program partners with Star-C, a non-profit organization, to provide rental assistance to eligible city residents facing eviction, according to the Fulton County Magistrate Court. The website for Star-C states they’re not accepting any new applications for the current cycle. Other organizations in the area that provide temporary relief include HOPE Atlanta and The Center for Family Resources.
Another resource is the Midtown Assistance Center, which provides rental assistance to low-income working households in 14 ZIP codes across Midtown and Downtown Atlanta.
An eviction filing can have consequences beyond losing housing, potentially making it more difficult for tenants to secure another rental in the future.
