Case A21A1263 Filed 08/12/2021 Page 1 of 50 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE STATE OF GEORGIA Case No. A21A1263 EFFICIENCY LODGE, INC., Appellant-Defendant, v. ARMETRIUS NEASON; LYNETRICE PRESTON; and ALTONESE WEAVER, Appellees-Plaintiffs. BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE HOUSING JUSTICE LEAGUE, THE ATLANTA VOLUNTEERS LAWYERS FOUNDATION, THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER, DANIELLA AIELLO, PH.D., TAYLOR SHELTON, PH.D., AND BRIAN GOLDSTONE, PH.D. IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS-APPELLEES Submitted by: Emily C.R. Early (GA 810206) Wingo Smith (GA 147896) The Southern Poverty Law Center P.O. Box 1287 Decatur, Georgia 30031-1287 Office: (404) 521-6700 Cell: (334) 207-3952
[email protected] [email protected] Counsel for Amici Curiae Case A21A1263 Filed 08/12/2021 Page 2 of 50 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. STATEMENTS OF INTEREST OF AMICI CURIAE ..................................... 1 II. SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT ......................................................................... 4 III. ARGUMENT ..................................................................................................... 6 A. Extended-Stay Residential Hotels Historically Represent a Key Component of the Continuum of Affordable Housing in the United States and Their Significance Continues to Dramatically Expand. ............................................ 6 B. The Experiences of Residents at Efficiency Lodge and Other Extended-Stay Residential Hotels Are Indistinguishable from Other Low-Income Tenants And a Key Part of the Industry’s Business Model. ....................................... 14 1. Extended-Stay Residential Hotels Compete for, Incentivize, and Profit from Long-Term Residency. .................................................................... 15 2. The experiences of low-income tenants parallels the experience of Plaintiff-Appellees and other residents in residential motels. .......................... 19 C. Treating Residents at Extended Stay Hotels as Tenants Promotes Stable Housing and Protects Residents From Abusive Practices, Consistent with the Purpose of Due Process.