Atlanta, like many major cities across the United States, has been grappling with a severe housing crisis for years, and yet Georgia legislators seem unwilling to take meaningful action. With skyrocketing rents, corporate landlords dominating the market, and thousands of residents struggling to keep a roof over their heads, this year’s legislative session was an opportunity for bold solutions. Instead, it became another example of political inaction.
As of 2025, Atlanta's median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is well over $1,800 per month—an amount that is unreasonable and unaffordable for middle and low-income residents. Compounding this issue is Georgia's lack of robust eviction protections or relief programs. Even as the state enjoys $11.5 billion in budget surplus, little has been done to allocate those funds toward addressing housing insecurity.
Legislative Proposals That Failed to Pass
During the 2025 legislative session, several bills were introduced that could have provided much-needed relief for renters and addressed systemic issues contributing to Atlanta’s housing crisis. Unfortunately, none of these measures made it through the legislature:
Regulating Institutional Investors: One proposed bill sought to limit the ability of large corporate entities to buy up single-family homes in bulk—a practice that has significantly reduced homeownership opportunities for everyday Georgians while driving up rental costs. This measure was blocked early in committee discussions.
Capping Rent Increases: Another bill aimed at capping annual rent increases at a reasonable percentage failed to gain traction among lawmakers. Without such caps in place, landlords remain free to impose steep rent hikes with little warning.
Strengthening Tenant Rights: Advocates pushed for legislation that would provide greater protections against unjust evictions and improve living conditions for tenants by holding landlords accountable for maintenance issues. However, these efforts were met with resistance from property owner associations and ultimately did not pass.
Increasing Affordable Housing Investments: Despite widespread calls from housing advocates and community leaders for increased funding toward affordable housing development projects, no significant investments were approved during this session.
Eviction Relief Programs: With thousands of Georgians facing eviction each year due to financial hardship or rising rents, there was hope that some portion of the state’s budget surplus would be allocated toward eviction prevention programs or emergency rental assistance funds. Instead, lawmakers chose not to prioritize these initiatives.
The Lone Victory: House Bill 399
The only piece of housing-related legislation that passed during the 2025 session was House Bill 399, which requires absentee landlords who own single-family or duplex rental properties to assign a local agent responsible for handling tenant complaints and maintenance issues.
Why are solutions for the housing crisis met with so much resistance? Could it be the influence of real estate lobbyists or is it a general lack of political determination? Regardless of the underlying causes, Atlanta residents have been experiencing the consequences of lawmakers' inactions, for a long time now. If only Georgians could remember these moments during election cycles.
Author: Ericka Cameron-Carr
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