When Carmen Boatwright walked into AVLF’s Housing Court Assistance Center, she was facing the very real possibility of losing her home.
An eviction notice hung over her head, and with limited income, she was struggling to find another place in Atlanta more affordable than the $750 a month she was already paying.
Behind on rent and holding a letter from her landlord’s attorney demanding immediate move-out, Carmen turned to AVLF for help—her last hope in a desperate situation.
That’s when she met Maxwell Rogers, the Graduate Research Assistant at HCAC. Maxwell’s fierce dedication, paired with the unwavering support of the AVLF team, became a turning point in Carmen’s story. Even AVLF’s Executive Director, Michael Lucas, offered his support during a volunteer shift at HCAC that September.
Maxwell went to bat for Carmen, engaging in persistent negotiations with the landlord’s attorney.
In the end, he secured a six-month lease extension in exchange for payment of the back rent—a payment AVLF worked quickly to issue, ultimately erasing her debt.
Thanks to this team effort, Carmen now has a clean slate, no overdue rent, and a stable place to call home.