Macon-Bibb commissioners Virgil Watkins and Al Tillman lead a town hall meeting Tuesday night for tenants evicted from the Crystal Lake apartment complex.
The complex recently sent out eviction letters to residents in the mid-rise and high-rise apartments after Macon-Bibb County officials said the complex was "uninhabitable."
The complex terminated residents' leases and cited that many of them had unpaid rent. Tillman warned residents not to be discouraged.
"This is about the property owner's violations. That's what this is about." Tillman said. "This is about not blaming residents or anyone so just know that we will not be deterred, the citizens don't need to be deterred."
The meeting began at 7 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Chambers Road across from the apartment complex.
Several community groups attended the meeting offering help to those displaced by the evictions at the apartment complex.
Sheknita Davis has been helping to organize relief efforts. Davis says so far, 23 families have received help from community organizations. Many of those displaced have been staying in Macon hotels, but will soon need to relocate as a wrestling tournament moves into town that already had reservations.
Naomi Ladson with the Salvation Army encouraged attendees that they can also take advantage of their shelter, which houses 42 beds for women and children, 80 beds for men, and provides full service such as laundry and showers.
According to June O’Neal with the Homeless Coalition, the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank will host a pop-up food bank in the near future.
Sister Theresa with Daybreak Macon urged people to use their mobile app (search for Day Break Macon in the app store), and the shelter will refer them to places where they can get meals and take showers. Daybreak says they serve breakfast, while Mulberry Methodist and Loaves and Fishes provide lunch as well as laundry services.
Kapara Wright was one resident who attended Tuesday's meeting. He said he was a recovering addict and had begun to get his life back on the right track. Heading back to a shelter, felt like a step backwards, but he's hopeful for the future.
"The people that have been helping us, thank God for them," Wright said. "I just haven't received no help so I'm not going to be bitter about the situation...but when my help comes, its going to come and it's going to come right on time."
If you're interested in donating to those in need, you can do so by using the Givelify mobile app and donate to Kingdom Life Church Macon.
If you would like to make a donation and help pay for rooms or other supplies for these families, please contact Dominique Johnson at 478-227-0796 or Sheknita Davis at 478-254-0060.