A Mother's Fight for Home and School
Last year, Sechita McNair, a single mother, and her three children faced a life-altering event: they were evicted from their apartment in a neighbourhood of Atlanta undergoing rapid gentrification. This upheaval not only meant losing their home but also threatened the educational stability of her sons.
The High Stakes of School and City Life
For many families, an eviction forces children to change schools. While federal law offers some protection, allowing evicted pupils to remain in their original schools even after moving outside the zone, this was only a temporary reprieve for McNair. After securing housing in the Atlanta suburb of Jonesboro, the protection was set to expire at the end of the school year. McNair was determined to find a way back to their old Atlanta neighbourhood before the new term began, ensuring her children could retain the stability and resources of their familiar schools.
The challenge was immense. Finding a "semi-affordable" apartment in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward with a landlord willing to rent to a single mother with a recent eviction on her record proved nearly impossible. The family's resilience was tested throughout the last school year and the following summer as they commuted between their life in Atlanta and their temporary home in Jonesboro.
When her newer car was repossessed and she couldn't afford repairs on an older van, they resorted to public transport—a journey that could take nearly two hours each way.
McNair recognised that the family's rental in Jonesboro, situated in an area of brick colonials and manicured lawns, was the dream for some. But it wasn't her dream. Her focus was firmly on her children's future. Atlanta spends nearly $20,000 per student annually, which is $7,000 more than the district in Jonesboro. This significant funding difference translates into smaller class sizes and better access to support staff like psychologists and guidance counsellors.
Beyond the schools, McNair valued the broader resources of city life in Atlanta. She saw opportunities in its libraries, bike paths, hospitals, and vital support networks such as rental assistance agencies, food pantries, and Buy Nothing groups.
A Hard-Won Victory with New Challenges
McNair, an out-of-work film industry veteran, took on extra hours driving for Uber and borrowed money in a relentless effort. Her hard work paid off when she eventually secured a lease in the right Atlanta neighbourhood, achieving her primary goal: her children could return to their original schools.
However, the victory was tinged with new anxieties. For a time, she was uncertain about giving up the house in Jonesboro, partly because she had concerns about the safety of the new Atlanta apartment. She noted issues like a front door that appeared to have been forced open, a desire for more smoke detectors, and non-functioning appliances.
The financial strain of paying rent on two properties soon became unsustainable. After falling behind on payments for the Jonesboro house, McNair is now preparing to leave it behind before the landlord takes action to remove her possessions. She has made a solemn promise to herself that she would never let her children experience such an ordeal again.
This story is based on a documentary photo essay curated by AP photo editors.
