Eviction Defense

If you have questions about the eviction process or about your rights as a tenant, you can call our Tenant Solidarity Hotline at 404-941-9494. Our hotline volunteers can also advise you on how to organize with your neighbors to fight back against eviction, and they can direct you to free services, including legal assistance.

What is the Eviction Defense Manual? 

HJL’s Eviction Defense Manual is a tool for learning about tenants rights in the eviction process, eviction defense, and reducing displacement and debt caused by eviction. The Manual walks tenants through the legal process of eviction, breaking down complicated legal terms and explaining requirements of landlords under the law and opportunities for tenant defense within the different stages of the process. We developed the manual with the understanding that the majority (53%) of tenants lose the opportunity to challenge their eviction in court because they do not file an answer. Many additional tenants file an answer without a proper legal defense or fail to show up to their court date. Any of these actions speed up the eviction process and lose tenants the opportunity to challenge their case.

Volunteer with us!

Volunteer opportunities are not in short supply. To get involved email us at latresa@housingjusticeleague.org.

Volunteer opportunities include: 

  • Canvassing with the AVLF Pilot Program

  • Helping to distribute manuals

  • Tabling at events

  • And more!

Special thanks to the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, the American Friends Service Committee, the Counter Narrative Project, Vine City Civic Association, the Rick McDevitt Youth Center, and others in the community who have provided space and resources to make this work possible.