What We Do
“MAC got me turned around and back on my feet so I decided to pay it forward by donating to MAC whenever I can. Things were really bad for me—lots of storm clouds, but MAC helped me and then I wanted to help too. The feeling I get helping someone else is the silver lining in my cloud.”
– Anna, 2014 rent recipient turned 2017 donor
Since our founding, MAC has helped in over 157,000 emergency situations and provided over $9,300,000 of assistance to low-income families. We aim to prevent homelessness, hunger, and insecurity through a variety of services.
Rent & Utility Assistance | Grocery Assistance | MARTA Assistance | Clothing Assistance | Georgia Identification Assistance | Referrals
Rent and Utility Assistance
MAC provides assistance to low-income, working households that are in a temporary financial crisis. Our assistance works to prevent eviction and disconnection of electricity, gas, and water. To be screened for rent or utility assistance, you must call our assistance line at 404-681-5777 during our hours listed. Please consult our qualifications below before calling.
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- Must be employed or very recently unemployed (within 6 months.)
- Must be primary resident of the home in which rent/utility is being paid.
- Must have a signed, legal lease in your name – no co-signer.
- You must apply as a household. Roommates or other family members cannot apply separately.
- You must provide documents to verify your emergency situation and lack of financial resources.
- Must have at least a six (6) month history at present residence for rent, and three (3) months for utilities. MAC cannot assist with utilities at a previous address.
- For rental assistance, landlord must be a legitimate realty company registered with the GA Secretary of State – no private landlords.
- For utility assistance the bill must be in your name, or the name of a member of the household.
- Must provide documentation that you have sufficient income to maintain rent/utility payments if MAC is able to help this time. MAC requires that your verifiable take home income is or was at least twice the monthly rent amount. For example, if your rent amount is $750/month, you would have to provide documentation that at some point take-home income was at least $1,500/month.
- MAC cannot assist with rent in student housing or government subsidized housing such as Atlanta Housing Authority or Section 8.
- Students must qualify based on their employment income. Your emergency situation cannot be based on school related expenses or funding.
- Must provide any additional documentation necessary to substantiate need for assistance (i.e. receipts from unexpected bills, police reports, doctor reports).
- Clients are expected to pay as much as possible toward the rent or utility bill. All money is made payable to the landlord/company, never MAC or a third party.
- All financial cases must complete a Budget Analysis Form.
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- Picture ID
- Social Security Card
- Eviction Notice (if under warrant)
- Letter from Landlord documenting current rent balance
- 3 months worth of pay stubs from employer
- Proof of loss of income and/or emergency situation
- Balance of the amount owed after our pledge
- Additional documentation as needed
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Grocery Assistance
MAC has a food pantry that provides non-perishable food for households experiencing a temporary shortage. Even though MAC’s clients are below the poverty line, many are not eligible for food stamps and need help with putting food on the table. We provide grocery assistance to any housed residents of our service area up to four times per year.
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- Resident of one of the following zip codes: 30303, 30308, 30309, 30310 30312, 30313, 30314, 30315, 30318, 30363
- Must have applied for food stamps or willing to apply
- Must not be a resident of a transitional housing program
- Limited to four grocery appointments each calendar year
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- Picture ID
- Proof of residence (i.e. utility bill, lease) or hotel/rooming house receipt
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MARTA Assistance
MAC provides MARTA passes for people who are searching for employment or newly employed until they receive their first paycheck. We provide MARTA passes to both homeless and housed clients.
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- Must have verifiable, permanent employment
- Must substantiate need for assistance
- Must live within our zip codes served or have homeless verification
- Must provide employment start date, schedule, or pay date
- Must provide employer information with a business phone for verification
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- Picture ID
- Written employment verification on company letterhead
- Employer contact information
- Official start date and first pay date
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Clothing Assistance
MAC’s clothing closet provides men with interview and work outfits. MAC also purchases nonslip shoes and black pants for restaurant workers and steel-toed boot for construction workers.
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- Assistance with clothing must be employment related
- Must be actively looking for a job or employed
- Limit of three clothing appointments per year; must leave 30 days between clothing appointments
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- Picture ID
- Interview/Employment verification
- For non-slip shoes or steel-toed boots: must provide written documentation of specific work clothing requirements
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Georgia Identification Assistance
Without an ID, finding a job is nearly impossible. MAC provides vouchers for Atlanta residents to get a Georgia ID card for employment purposes.
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- Original birth certificate and Social Security card
- Residential documents required by the DMV
- Lifetime limit of 1 ID
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Referrals