ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Across south Georgia, property taxes and rising repair costs are squeezing local landlords. But there is a trickle-down effect that’s impacting the people who rent those properties.

From working to disabled individuals, seniors on fixed incomes to working families — rising rent prices, coupled with inflation on essentials like groceries and gas, have turned survival into a daily calculation of sacrifice.

For Lorrieann Thurman, a former commercial truck driver since 2016, life shifted drastically after a severe car crash left her with debilitating sciatic nerve damage. Now, Thurman is unable to sit or stand for extended periods of time. She was forced onto disability, moving her from being completely self-sufficient to seeking emergency aid.

“Now that I’m on disability, my rent is $650 and my income doesn’t meet my rent,” she said. “And now I’m here at a place where I never thought that I would have to come to, to ask for help.”

Thurman says the transition has taken a heavy emotional and physical toll, turning basic living into sleepless nights filled with financial dread.

“I’m living from one month to the next month, and I’m not even living,” Thurman said. “I don’t sleep because I’m so stressed out about bills and who’s going to help me. And again, that’s why I came to this place to get help. Normally I wouldn’t be in this position, but you don’t give me any choice.”

When asked if she would be living under these conditions if she were still able to drive trucks, Thurman reflected on how quickly anyone’s circumstances can change.

“No, I wouldn’t. And that’s just it. Some things are meant to humble you and some things are meant to make you take notice,” she said. “Because when I was driving trucks, I didn’t take notice because I had it... I gave more than I kept, but at the same time, a giving heart leads to an emptiness, meaning I don’t have the money in my account.”

Advocates at the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council say Thurman’s story is far from unique. Dougherty County Community Service Manager Thersa Pearman says demand for emergency rent and utility help is far outpacing available funds, forcing their team to make painful decisions.

“It’s very hard. We have to look at the family’s situation and prioritize the family with the greatest need,” Pearman said. “So it’s a hard decision to make, and funds are very limited, so we have to prioritize the family with the greatest need.”

Pearman also pointed out that the cost of living has effectively broken the traditional path to homeownership in Albany, trapping people in rental units indefinitely.

“People are getting stuck due to the fact that we are already paying high rents, utility,” Pearman said. “So it’s very hard with the cost of living for families to choose homeownership. Therefore, they are constantly renting.”

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average weekly wage for workers in Dougherty County rose from approximately $1,054 to $1,122, which is roughly $4,862 a month before taxes. Meanwhile, real estate data from Zillow lists Albany’s average asking rent at approximately $1,008 per month across all property types.

On paper, the average asking rent is about 21% of the gross monthly wage, well within the standard 30% threshold considered affordable by federal housing standards. However, advocates and economists note that average-wage calculations include high-earning industrial, managerial, and healthcare jobs, masking the reality for the city’s typical renters.

Additional data shows for hourly service workers, low-income families, or residents living on fixed disability checks like Thurman, monthly rent consumes 40% to 50% or more of their total income.

For Thurman, the growing issues of homelessness and poverty across Albany carry a direct message for local elected officials. She urges city and county leaders to step away from their desks and see the true conditions of their constituents firsthand.

“Please understand where we are coming from. Get out and see, meet the people, talk to the people, see what our needs are, meet our needs, at least halfway,” Thurman urged. “There’s no way that a mayor should sit behind his desk and don’t come out and see. Don’t only put your boots on the ground when it’s time for votes. Come out and shake hands with the people. Find out what their needs are. Meet their needs. We putting you in office to take care of us. We’re your family, and you’re not doing what you’re supposed to do for us.”

Despite the steep climb, Thurman remains anchored in her faith, hoping that sharing her struggle will encourage others who feel like giving up.

Where to turn for help: Housing, utility, and eviction prevention resources

If you or someone you know in Albany, Dougherty County, or elsewhere in southwest Georgia is struggling to afford rent or facing eviction, the following local, regional, and statewide organizations offer emergency assistance:

Albany & Dougherty County Resources

• Southwest Georgia Community Action Council (SWGACAC) – Dougherty County Service Center
  • Services: Emergency rental assistance, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) utility aid, and family crisis support
  • Address: 317 W 1st Ave., Albany, GA 31701
  • Phone: 229-883-1365
  • Website: swgacac.com
  • Note: Application appointments open monthly on a first-come, first-served basis
• Albany Housing Authority
  • Services: Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), public housing communities, and affordable housing development
  • Address: 400 W Whitney Ave., Albany, GA 31701
  • Phone: 229-434-4500
  • Website: albanyhousingauthority.com
• The Salvation Army of Albany
  • Services: Emergency financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and past-due utility bills to prevent homelessness
  • Address: 304 W 2nd Ave., Albany, GA 31701
  • Phone: 229-435-1428
  • Website: salvationarmyusa.org
• St. Vincent de Paul Society – St. Teresa Catholic Church
  • Services: Direct emergency assistance with rent, lodging, and essential utilities for families facing sudden hardships
  • Address: 421 Edgewood Ln., Albany, GA 31707
  • Phone: 229-439-2342

Statewide Resources

• United Way 2-1-1 Community Resource Database
  • Services: Free, confidential, 24/7 statewide helpline that connects callers to local rent relief programs, food pantries, emergency shelters, and utility assistance funds in their exact zip code
  • Dial: 2-1-1 (or call 1-800-244-7431)
  • Text: Send your ZIP code to 898-211
  • Online: 211online.unitedwayatlanta.org
• Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) – Housing Assistance
  • Services: Information on statewide voucher administration, HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, and fair housing guidelines
  • Phone: 800-359-4663
  • Website: dca.georgia.gov/housing-assistance
• Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) – Albany Regional Office
  • Services: Free civil legal aid for low-income Georgians facing unlawful eviction, housing discrimination, or lease disputes with landlords
  • Address: 1311 N Jefferson St., Albany, GA 31701
  • Phone: 229-430-4261 or toll-free 800-735-4271
  • Website: glsp.org

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