City of Atlanta to file rebuttal lawsuit against Forest Cove management group

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October 6th, 2023

Attorney Ben Crump speaking alongside former Forest Cove resident Ms. Peaches (Felicia Morris) during the city's lawsuit announcement against Millennia Management Group (DorMiya Vance/WABE).

Atlanta leaders joined Friday alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump to announce a lawsuit against the owner of the former Forest Cove complex, Millennia Housing. 

The suit is the latest consequence for Millennia over its management of the dilapidated apartments in South Atlanta.

Mayor Andre Dickens says the lawsuit is a response to Millennia’s suit filing against the city of Atlanta on October 3, 2023.

“I sat with Millennia quite a few times personally to ask for them to address these issues,” said Dickens. “My team has sat with Millennia over a dozen times or more to address these issues, and nothing, absolutely nothing, has changed.”

According to a statement from the company, Millennia claims that the city compromised its ability to redevelop the property for former residents. 

Dickens says the city is seeking $10 million from the company, which would pay the city back for its involvement in improving the conditions for residents who lived in Forest Cove.

Near the end of 2021, WABE conducted a year-long investigation highlighting deplorable conditions at Forest Cove, which led to the vacating of the complex and the city moving residents out.

According to Mayor Dickens, the city’s suit could expand in the next few weeks to include other cities with similar issues with the housing company. 

Note of clarification: this story has been edited to clarify that Millennia claims the city compromised its ability to develop the property for former residents to move back in.

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