A $50,000 GoFundMe started by an Atlanta landlord has grown into a $16.5 million Eviction Relief Fund that’s kept more than 5,500 families in their apartments. Marjy Stagmeier launched the Star-C Program’s fund during the pandemic after watching tenants fall behind on rent for reasons that had nothing to do with bad budgeting. A stolen pension check, a federal shutdown, one rough month. Her response was to help instead of evict.
The program has expanded well beyond checks, now reaching more than 330 apartment communities and 64,000 units with access to after-school programs, summer camps, medical services and food assistance. Nearly 100 families have even made the jump from renting to home ownership. The fund is currently paused for new applications in this cycle, but the model keeps growing.
Stagmeier has said the eviction mindset treats missed rent as a failure, when often it’s just a short-term crisis. Her version treats families like neighbors instead. Have you ever had a moment where one small act of grace changed everything?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.