Apartments owned by Warnock’s church evict ‘homeless’ tenants while senator receives hefty housing stipend

By Jon Brown | Fox News

A downtown Atlanta apartment building mostly owned by the church of Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., has reportedly been evicting disadvantaged tenants while the church pays the senator a hefty monthly housing stipend.

Ebenezer Baptist Church, which pays Warnock a sizable $7,417 monthly housing allowance as its senior pastor, is 99% owner of the Columbia Tower at MLK Village, where residents have received eviction notices for owing as little as $25.88 in past-due rent, according to documents obtained by The Washington Free Beacon.

Eight tenants at Columbia Tower, which is also run by Columbia Residential and described as a haven for the “chronically homeless” and those afflicted with “mental disabilities,” have been issued eviction notices since early 2020 for owing an average of $125 in rent.

Five cases were related to rent less than one month late, and two led to court-ordered evictions carried out by the Fulton County Marshal’s Department. Six of them were dismissed, and four remain open.

As a charitable organization, Columbia Tower has paid $77.77 in property taxes during the past seven years and has received more than $15 million in taxpayer-funded assistance since 2005, according to tax records obtained by the Free Beacon.

“They treat me like a piece of s—. They’re not compassionate at all,” one 69-year-old Black resident who is a Vietnam veteran told the Free Beacon. He explained how he was issued an eviction notice last month for $192 in past-due rent. He told the outlet he was almost evicted last year over $179, but he was allowed to stay after he paid an addition $325 in fees.

Rev. Raphael G. Warnock delivers the eulogy for Rayshard Brooks at his funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church June 23, 2020, in Atlanta.

Rev. Raphael G. Warnock delivers the eulogy for Rayshard Brooks at his funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church June 23, 2020, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton-Pool/Getty Images)

“It’s disheartening. It’s horrible. It’s actually horrifying,” another resident told the outlet. “We need the help. I understand churches take care of their pastors, but the excess, it’s not good. Not when you have people that need help here.”

The anonymous resident, who also paid hundreds in fees, said she was threatened with eviction after being one day late on her rent. (Click to continue reading)

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Apartments owned by Warnock’s church evict ‘homeless’ tenants while senator receives hefty housing stipend

A Homeless man hailed as a hero after helping crash victims to safety

EMPORIA, Kan. – Brian Vargas said he had no time to think after a fiery crash thrust him into a life-saving mission.

“It was really scary at times because there were elderly and disabled people on the bus and saving them were my main concern,” Vargas said.

Five days a week, the 49-year-old Vargas rides the L-Cat or Lyon County Area Transportation bus from the Emporia Rescue Mission to the shelter’s kitchen where he’s a cook.

“It just happened all of a sudden. I just heard a big ‘boom!’ And the bus actually moved,” Vargas said, who was getting off the bus when he said a minivan crashed into the back near the men’s shelter at 12th Avenue and Whittier Street.

Vargas darted off the bus, and when he saw the flames spreading across the van’s hood, the former carpenter and construction worker ran to get five passengers and the driver off the bus.

“I ran back on the bus and just screamed, ‘Everybody off the bus now!’” Vargas told FOX 4′s Robert Townsend Wednesday.

When he ran back on the bus, Brian quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and, all by himself, he put out the van fire. Vargas and several onlookers feared the van would explode, but thankfully it didn’t by the time firefighters arrived.

Two people on the bus went to the hospital for minor injuries. We’re told the van’s driver refused treatment. In the aftermath, Vargas was humble.

“I’m just an ordinary guy,” said Brian with a big smile.  (To continue reading click:  Fox 4 – KC )

 * * *

 Just another day in the life of a hero!!!

Homeless man hailed as a hero after helping crash victims to safety

EMPORIA, Kan. – Brian Vargas said he had no time to think after a fiery crash thrust him into a life-saving mission.

“It was really scary at times because there were elderly and disabled people on the bus and saving them were my main concern,” Vargas said.

Five days a week, the 49-year-old Vargas rides the L-Cat or Lyon County Area Transportation bus from the Emporia Rescue Mission to the shelter’s kitchen where he’s a cook.

“It just happened all of a sudden. I just heard a big ‘boom!’ And the bus actually moved,” Vargas said, who was getting off the bus when he said a minivan crashed into the back near the men’s shelter at 12th Avenue and Whittier Street.

Vargas darted off the bus, and when he saw the flames spreading across the van’s hood, the former carpenter and construction worker ran to get five passengers and the driver off the bus.

“I ran back on the bus and just screamed, ‘Everybody off the bus now!’” Vargas told FOX 4′s Robert Townsend Wednesday.

When he ran back on the bus, Brian quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and, all by himself, he put out the van fire. Vargas and several onlookers feared the van would explode, but thankfully it didn’t by the time firefighters arrived.

Two people on the bus went to the hospital for minor injuries. We’re told the van’s driver refused treatment. In the aftermath, Vargas was humble.

“I’m just an ordinary guy,” said Brian with a big smile.  (To continue reading click:  Fox 4 – KC )

 * * *

 Just another day in the life of a hero!!!