ATLANTA — Nearly two years after the city of Atlanta relocated almost 200 families from a south-side apartment complex deemed dilapidated and dangerous, dozens of former residents addressed the city council, stating that their conditions had not changed even after moving.
Forest Cove Apartments has been the center of many 11Alive reports regarding violent crimes and deplorable conditions over the years. According to residents, its saving grace is that it was affordable.
Many residents are struggling to keep their heads above water, with others telling council members they're living in the same conditions, if not worse.
"Where I'm at, I'm catching hell. I had a gun pulled out on me; we can't take it," Earine Gist, a former Forest Cove resident, said at Tuesday's Community Development and Human Services committee meeting.
After the complex was condemned in December 2022, families were moved out of the Thomasville Heights neighborhood, many to outside the city itself. One mother said it's not fair to her children.
"Families are suffering; our kids were forced out of the city," Madrika Gray said.
Close to a dozen former residents showed up at the meeting, and some were in tears as they made emotional pleas—begging for help at Tuesday's meeting.
Another former Forest Cove Resident and mother told the council that after moving to a neighborhood off Cleveland Avenue, her 10-year-old daughter was stabbed.
"It's dangerous over there; it's not safe for me and my kids, period," Kenya Smith said.
One resident made it clear that they're not looking for a handout.
"No one is not trying to work; we don't have a problem working," Shirley Pounds, a former Forest Cove resident, said.
Another person who signed up in public comment under the name 'Miss Peaches' agreed: "We work, we put in our part, we just want to be able to come back."
Honestly, residents are asking the city to develop affordable and safe housing options more than anything.
"It's bigger than Forest Cove; we need affordable housing," Gray said.
Miss Peaches told council members that she lives with mold.
"My children are forced to be with me in the room because we have three different kinds of mold growing in our unit," she said.
After former residents told their stories, Atlanta Councilman Jason Winston responded, stating that their goal was for them to be able to return to Thomasville Heights.
"That’s still a high priority to be able to do that," Winston said in part.
Josh Humphries, Senior Advisor to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, said it is difficult given the current housing crisis.
RELATED: Former Forest Cove residents start moving into new homes
"The reality is there's not enough available quality housing in the city right now," Humphries said.
He added, "The mayor has made it clear from day one that we will do everything in our legal power to create a pathway to Thomasville Heights for any resident of Forest Cove who wants to come back there."
Humphries also provided the committee with a memo regarding the situation.
Read the memo below, or click here.