Cobb’s Innovative Housing Stability Court Gains Funding for Extension

Cobb's Innovative Housing Stability Court Gains Funding for Extension
Funds Reallocation to Extend Eviction Diversion Program Through 2026

Marietta, GA - Sytira turned to the nonprofit Center for Family Resources (CFR) when her life began to unravel. A pregnant mother of two, she was facing eviction. "I didn't know where I was going to get help, and I was losing hope," she said.

Cobb County's Magistrate Court, which handles evictions, partnered with CFR to create an innovative program to help families avoid eviction. CFR connected Sytira with the Housing Stability Court, funded by pandemic relief dollars.

"Working with them helped me get my footing back," says Sytira. Not only did the program help her and her children maintain safe and stable housing, but she also attended financial literacy classes that taught her how to be "financially smart and savvy."

On Tuesday night, Cobb's Board of Commissioners voted to reallocate nearly one million dollars, initially designated to address the court's backlog of cases, to extend the Housing Stability Court.

Chief Magistrate Judge Brendan Murphy informed the board that while the court would use some of the funds to address the backlog, the remainder could be used to extend the program from mid-2025 through 2026.

Judge Murphy said the Housing Stability Court has successfully helped 60 families avoid eviction. "The idea was to combine financial assistance with case management resources to help those facing eviction for the first time. We provide financial assistance, as well as job skills, financial literacy, budgeting, resume writing, and other tools to prevent them from returning to eviction court and break that cycle."

"We've witnessed the impact of this program over the past 12 months and are grateful for the Board's support," says CFR Chief Executive Officer Melanie Kagen. "Our innovative approach addresses the root cause of housing instability and gives residents a second chance to get back on track. We appreciate the partnership with Judge Murphy and the Magistrate Court, and we look forward to continuing to serve Cobb residents."

"I appreciate your initiative," Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid told Judge Murphy during the meeting. "Thank you for being transformative and keeping families housed. We know there are limited funds available to help us recover from the pandemic, so everything we can do to ensure people have a place to stay-and to help them stay there on their own-is a win-win."

"With the pandemic behind us, this move frees up federal funding to extend and expand the voluntary Housing Stability Court," Judge Murphy said. "This first-of-its-kind program has already helped dozens of families avoid homelessness and acquire the skills and knowledge needed to improve their financial future. Now, hundreds more Cobb tenants and landlords will have the opportunity to participate."