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Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
GA law gives tenants at a Southwest Atlanta Apartment Complex protections against unsafe conditions
Tenants at the Bolden Townhomes in southwest Atlanta say they've been living without power for months and are demanding better living conditions. Channel 2's Eryn Rogers first reported on the situation last Sunday, and since then, housing advocates have taken action. On Friday, members of the Housing Justice League held a news conference at the complex, calling for accountability from the property owner, Edward Bolden of Bolden Capital Group. On Friday evening, Bolden had crews making visible improvements such as grass cutting and trash removal, but tenants say those efforts barely scratch the surface. 'I ain't seen this since I've been out here,' said tenant Reco Ford. Ford showed a cooler he uses in place of a refrigerator and expressed frustration with what he sees as superficial fixes. 'Y'all want to come and cut the grass, but that's just a front. We have bigger issues than that going on over here. We ain't got no power. Folks ain't got no refrigerator, no stove,' Ford said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Owner Edward Bolden of Bolden Capital Group sent the following statement: 'We take the concerns raised by the Oakland City community and residents of Bolden Townhomes very seriously. Our mission has always been to provide safe, stable, and accessible housing — and that remains our commitment. Over the past several months, we've faced complex challenges at this property, including unauthorized occupancy, utility theft, and damage to units. These issues have created difficult and unsafe conditions for our legal residents, our team members, and the broader community. In partnership with local law enforcement and under guidance of the law, we've taken necessary steps to protect the property and ensure a safe environment for those who reside here legally. We recognize that this situation is deeply concerning for many, and we're working actively to stabilize the property, improve conditions, and engage residents who meet our leasing requirements. Due to pending legal matters, we are limited in what we can share at this time, but we welcome ongoing dialogue with city officials and community leaders as we move toward resolution." Tenants dispute that they're squatters. Several showed rent receipts and keys to their units as proof that they are legitimate residents. The conflict comes amid growing attention on Georgia's tenant protections under the 'Safe at Home Act,' passed last year. State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), who co-sponsored the legislation, said the law requires landlords to maintain habitable living conditions. TRENDING STORIES: Atlanta-area rapper sentenced for bringing stolen loaded 'machine gun' into hospital labor unit 38-year-old GA man charged with grooming a minor Stolen vehicle leads to police chase along I-20 'If they've paid rent, it doesn't matter that they didn't have a written lease, but what is true under the bill we passed last year is that landlords are very specifically obligated to provide a habitable place to live,' Oliver said. She also explained that tenants must contact code enforcement to report violations. She said code enforcement is responsible for taking legal action against landlords who fail to meet the law's standards. 'If you're in violation of code, you're going to be fined. You're going to be sanctioned,' Oliver said. Meanwhile, tenants say they just want to live in safe and humane conditions. 'I feel like nobody, and I am somebody,' Ford said. Rogers reached out to Atlanta code enforcement to ask about possible violations at the Bolden Townhomes. Officials said they would follow up, but as of Friday, there has been no further response. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Advocates upset as city restarts homeless sweeps following man's death earlier this year
Homeless advocates shouted, 'Shame on the mayor' and the city of Atlanta for restarting the clearing of homeless encampments. Mayor Andre Dickens pushed back, saying the city and its partners are working to safely remove the unhoused after a tragedy earlier this year. Dickens said plenty of notice was given, and officers were on hand to safely remove the unhoused. That's after heavy equipment killed Cornelius Taylor while he was still in his tent on Old Wheat Street near Ebenezer Baptist Church in January. Homeless advocates blasted the city for rebooting the sweeps during a news conference on Old Wheat Street. 'Shame on you Mr. Mayor,' Gus Hendricks said, who is unhoused and was a friend of Taylor's shouted. 'Shame,' those gathered at the news conference said in unison. RELATED STORIES: Volunteers cleaning up homeless camp where man killed by city vehicle Funeral for Cornelius Taylor held at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta Protestors want sweeps of homeless camps stopped after man killed by City of Atlanta bulldozer Other speakers said the city shouldn't restart the sweeps without ensuring the city can put those removed in permanent housing. 'It does not need to be this way,' Alison Johnson with the Housing Justice League said. Others also condemned the city's actions. 'It is violent to come and remove people,' Mawuli Davis, the attorney for Taylor's family said. People at the news conference said we should never forget Taylor's name, 'Let us say his name. Cornelius Taylor,' Pastor Nolan English with Traveling Grace Ministries said to the crowd. The crowd responded: 'Cornelius Taylor.' In a news release, Dickens says the city restarted the encampment closures based on the 2025 Task Force on Homelessness Response. It urged safely removing encampments because they are a health and safety hazard. The mayor also pointed out the encampments are unlawful when located under highways and bridges. Police removed those living under I-20 on Pryor Street on Monday morning. Officers blocked off Pryor Street while they cleared the area. Dickens said the unhoused will be relocated to safe and secure housing. English didn't put much trust in the mayor's words. 'Safe and secure housing that is, one, temporary. And two, highly conditional,' English said. Tim Franzen with the Coalition for Justice for Cornelius Taylor said the city will put up those removed in temporary shelters, and that's not the answer. 'These shelters that they end up in, oftentimes they're kicked out the next morning at 7,' Franzen said. He said they will lose all their belongings in the sweeps and will have to start over. The advocates want permanent housing with wrap-around services. The advocates told people in the encampments on Old Wheat Street they would be removed on Tuesday. 'I don't have nowhere to go,' Cecilia Chandler said as she moved her tent. She said she is 65 and doesn't want to move. She was asked what she would tell the mayor. 'Please find us somewhere to stay.' The mayor says the city and its partners are working to provide shelter referrals and transitions to permanent and supportive housing. The mayor's office says it is not clearing the Old Wheat encampment on Tuesday.
