Some say nothing in life is free, while others say the best things in life are free. One organization is looking to lean into a third mantra: it costs nothing to be kind.
On Oct. 31 FreeRent, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that provides rental assistance for one month or more to help them on their path to financial stability, is opening its third FreeRent Atlanta Grant program.The program covers full monthly rental payments for selected families who have faced an unexpected hardship for a year, along with wraparound services to help those families “overcome crisis, achieve stability, and build generational wealth.”
Eligibility for the program is outlined by the organization as the following:
- Experienced a recent, unexpected hardship (e.g., medical expenses, family crisis, natural disaster)
- Active lease within the City of Atlanta limits
- Household income at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI)
- At least one adult employed full-time
- Rent-to-income ratio at or below 50 percent
- Commitment to actively participate in FreeRent’s financial education and savings programs
The program will run throughout 2026; part of the financial services offered is crafting a financial stability plan alongside each selected family, with the goal of saving at least three months of living expenses throughout the duration of the program. The nonprofit says that in 2024, 71 percent of FreeRent participants achieved or exceeded these savings goals…