Eviction courts play a critical role in Metro Atlanta’s housing landscape, affecting families, landlords, and community stability. At Star-C’s recent February Breakfast, the chief magistrate judges from Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Clayton, and Gwinnett counties provided updates on caseloads, court operations, and support programs.
Key Updates:
- Eviction Case Processing & Setouts
- Magistrate courts handle thousands of dispossessory cases annually, with processing times varying by county.
- Eviction filings decreased in 2024 by 6% in Gwinnett and 3.5% in Cobb.
- Cobb, Gwinnett, and DeKalb schedule hearings within statutory limits, while Clayton and Fulton face longer wait times due to understaffing.
- DeKalb’s marshal’s office has a backlog of 600+ setouts, delaying completed evictions.
- Case Management & Mediation Programs
- Gwinnett County offers on-site case managers, connecting tenants to financial counseling and support services.
- Cobb’s Housing Stability Court pairs rental assistance with case management, providing budgeting support and job assistance.
- Mediation programs in Gwinnett, Clayton, and Fulton resolve over 80% of cases before trial.
- Rental Assistance & Legal Tools
- DeKalb has rental assistance, but funding expires in June 2025.
- Judges emphasized that pandemic-era rental aid was emergency relief, not a long-term solution.
- The “Motion to Compel to Pay into Court” allows landlords to request tenants pay rent into the court while awaiting trial, helping cases move forward.
Looking Ahead
As courts navigate eviction-related challenges, funding, staffing, and mediation programs remain critical. Collaboration among courts, policymakers, and housing organizations will be key to balancing tenant stability and landlord protections in 2025 and beyond.
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