AVLF on NPR’s Marketplace
ASHLEIGH STARNES | MAY 11, 2020
On May 11, NPR’s Marketplace featured our Saturday Lawyer Program, discussing how we’ve adapted our services to low-income Atlantans during the COVID-19 crisis.
Ms. Alisa Jones was all set to move into her new home. A Section 8 voucher recipient, Ms. Jones did everything she was supposed to: she signed the lease, paid the security deposit, and was given a key to move in.
Ms. Jones brought over some of her smaller belongings. She changed her address with the post office and transferred the utilities over to her name.
This is what is known as a “self-help” eviction: an illegal tactic that many landlords continue to use during the COVID-19 crisis.
But when Ms. Jones arrived with the U-Haul to move in her larger furniture, she was shocked to find that the locks had been changed.
This is what is known as a “self-help” eviction: an illegal tactic that many landlords continue to use during the COVID-19 crisis.
Ms. Jones turned to us for help.
Normally, we would invite Ms. Jones to our downtown offices for the Saturday Lawyer Program: a legal clinic that pairs low-income Atlantans with volunteer attorneys from law firms around the city. But times have changed.
“We’re basically bracing right now for what we expect is going to be a deluge of filings.”
Ms. Jones met with volunteer attorney Michael Arndt at Hawkins Parnell & Young via Zoom. AVLF is pairing her case with a volunteer attorney who can ensure she gets the justice she deserves.
“Still, precarious living conditions are going to get even worse as the economy deteriorates and more people have trouble paying their rent,” writes Marketplace. “Right now, legal evictions are on hold in Georgia and many states, but Taylor said that hasn’t stopped illegal tactics, like turning off the power or changing the locks. And once the restrictions lift?
“‘We are deeply concerned,’ Taylor said. ‘We’re basically bracing right now for what we expect is going to be a deluge of filings.’”
You can help us brace for the flood. Your support helps us provide emergency legal and social assistance to low-income Atlantans.
Every little bit helps. Become a monthly sustainer of our organization, or make a one-time donation. We can’t do this work without you.
Ashleigh Starnes
Communications Manager
As AVLF’s Communications Manager, Ashleigh develops strategy, design, and content for AVLF’s digital and print communications. She’s deeply committed to sharing resources and education with her community at large – and makes it her mission to support AVLF’s programs and outreach in all they do.
Ashleigh is an Atlanta native. Before joining AVLF, she was a Fulbright Scholar in Turkey. Ashleigh holds a Bachelor’s in English and Linguistics from the University of Georgia. She is also a performance artist, and can occasionally be seen performing movement pieces, poetry, and combinations of the two around Atlanta and beyond.
