Jennifer Gates, a former tenant of the Fulton County Housing Authority, recounts her ordeal from North Fulton County. She claims <a href="she was wrongfully evicted in 2016 after being falsely accused of not paying rent. "I know I paid and I've been telling them for long; somebody had something somewhere went wrong," Gates asserts.
The Fulton County Housing Authority, which receives approximately $7.8 million in federal tax dollars through HUD, distributes nearly 2,000 vouchers annually to assist families in need with rent. However, this program is now at risk following numerous complaints from residents, workers, and former board members about sexual harassment, financial mismanagement, and unqualified staff.
A letter HUD sent to Fulton County on June 24th recommends a corrective plan that includes hiring a third party to manage the program. The letter highlights the current staff’s lack of experience to address the deficiencies but does not mention any crimes. HUD strongly suggests a complete overhaul of the board.
Responding to this, County Commission Chair Rob Pitts secured the resignations of all but two board members. Among the resignation letters, board chairman Antavius Williams stands out for his refusal to step down, claiming he was the one who alerted federal authorities to the issues. “I was not getting the answers that I should have been getting, so I picked up the phone and called HUD,” Williams, a board member since 2018, explains.
Sharica Bellamy, a former manager, contests Williams’ claims, accusing him of exacerbating a hostile work environment and misusing federal funds to pay individuals without contracts. “I was walked out of the building with the same police officer that I refused to pay the invoices for because he did not have a contract,” Bellamy recounts. She believes <a href="she was terminated for raising these concerns, identifying herself as a whistleblower in a May commissioners' meeting.
Bellamy’s attorney has filed an EEOC complaint on behalf of her and several former Housing Authority employees. “This is exactly what whistleblower protection is for, so that someone like her can come forward and make a complaint without losing her job,” the attorney states.
Williams argues that those now complaining were the ones responsible for the problems. “I’m so excited; I can’t tell you how happy I am that this is happening because now the attention is being set on fixing the system,” he declares.
It’s worth noting that Williams insists he has never faced any complaints of sexual harassment. With only two members remaining, the board lacks the quorum needed to legally meet. In response, County Commission Chair Rob Pitts has scheduled a special meeting on July 29th at 10:00 a.m. to address the situation.
This story will continue to develop as more information becomes available.
