ATLANTA – State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Rhonda Taylor (D-Conyers), Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta), Rhonda Burnough (D-Riverdale), Marvin Lim (D-Norcross) and Imani Barnes (D-Tucker) recently held a virtual housing legislation update via Zoom. The town hall, which took place on Monday, February 19, 2024, for an hour and a half, provided a platform to discuss housing legislation and its impact on the community.
The virtual gathering covered a range of topics including landlord and tenant issues, rental control, housing regulations, preemption bills, homeowner association rights and regulations and the importance of safe homes. Participants of the event included homeowners and concerned citizens.
“This event was crucial in fostering dialogue and awareness about the housing legislation that directly affects our community,” said Rep. Davis. “We wanted to ensure that homeowners and citizens are well-informed about the legislative developments and their implications. The active participation we witnessed last night is a testament to the importance of these issues to our community members. It’s imperative that their voices are heard in the legislative process. As housing continues to be a pressing issue for many communities, events like these serve as crucial platforms for education, discussion and community engagement. Through informed dialogue and active participation, stakeholders can work together toward enacting meaningful and impactful housing policies for the benefit of all.”
“I urge support for House Bill 627, which would take action to address the housing crisis—last night’s town hall made that clear,” said Rep. Taylor. “Establishing local rent policy can help to preserve affordable housing, stabilize communities and reduce the displacement of vulnerable populations. By allowing cities and municipalities to implement such policies, we can ensure that all residents have access to safe, affordable housing.”
“We are constantly hearing cries from our constituents about rent increases, unfair treatment by HOAs and how landlords fix repairs,” said Rep. Scott. “At the end of the day, renters’ paychecks are not going up. Participants also spoke about the many evictions that are taking place all over Georgia. As legislators, we have written several pieces of legislation to help address our constituents’ needs.”
“We heard from residents across Georgia who want housing reform and homeowner protection,” said Rep. Schofield. “The plight of the housing issue is not just housing affordability, unhoused demands and rental control, all of which deserve immediate attention, but what I heard tonight underscores the demand for accountability of these bullying tactics and criminal actions by HOAs, landlords and corporate greed that have pushed Georgians to the brink of losing their housing. It has gotten out of control.”
“The purpose of House Bill 1051 is to protect seniors who are 65 and older,” said Rep. Burnough. “It would create the State Home Foreclosure Prevention Project data base under the guidance of the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority. HB 1051 would also create a State Home Foreclosure Prevention Trust Fund, and mortgage services would pay $200 to the fund per home loan. The goal is to protect seniors from non-judicial foreclosures and to make sure that they are given adequate notice before their home is sold.”
“Everyone should have access to safe, livable and affordable housing,” said Rep. Lim. “Most people in the legislature will say they agree with that, but what we’re still missing is enough action. So, I encourage you to use your voice to advocate.”
“We are doing this for our most vulnerable population, our seniors who are 62 years and older and those on disability who don’t have an opportunity to make more money,” said Rep. Barnes. “They are on a fixed income. House Bill 938 would only allow landlords to increase the rent 10 percent or below within a two-year period for seniors whose primary income is from payments received pursuant to the federal Social Security Act, including retirement and survivor’s benefits, supplemental security income benefits and disability income benefits.”
For those who were unable to attend, a video recording of the event can be viewed here.
For further information and updates on housing legislation, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the official channels of Reps. Davis and Taylor.
To read more about House Bill 627, please click here. To read more about House Bill 1051, please click here. To read more about House Bill 938, please click here.
Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.
Representative Rhonda Taylor represents the citizens of District 92, which includes portions of DeKalb and Rockdale counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Juvenile Justice and Special Rules committees.
Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as the Minority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip. She also serves on the Banks & Banking, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Insurance and Reapportionment and Redistricting committees.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Interstate Cooperation and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Rhonda Burnough represents the citizens of District 77, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Governmental Affairs, Higher Education and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Marvin Lim represents the citizens of District 98, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Health, Retirement and Urban Affairs committees.
Representative Imani Barnes represents the citizens of District 86, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Higher Education, Small Business Development and Technology and Infrastructure committees.
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