by Sharelle Burt
January 26, 2024
The order will provide close to $5 million to assist those without permanent housing.
Fox 5 Atlanta reports that Mayor Andre Dickens recently signed an executive order to reduce Atlanta’s growing homeless population.
The order, signed on Jan. 24, will provide close to $5 million to assist those without permanent housing. Dickens says everyone could be in similar situations, so it’s time to work through the issue. “Every single one of us is one bad day, one disaster, one serious illness or tragedy away from experiencing homelessness,” Dickens said.
“Today, I am announcing that I am issuing an executive order allowing $4.6 million to the appropriate city departments to expand shelter services, warming centers operations, additional shelter sites, and provide the wraparound services and security needed to go along with these additional locations.”
The initiative aims to give the city’s most vulnerable citizens a place to call their own. Atlanta’s streets are paved with hundreds of unhoused men, women, and children sleeping in tents and on blankets.
Partners for HOME (Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone), a leading agency fighting the homeless epidemic, says the city’s population increased by 30% between 2022 and 2023. Executive Director Cathryn Vassell feels this is the right step, but safe housing is the key. “Housing is the solution to ending homelessness, and not housing alone, but housing with wraparound services and safe, affordable housing,” she said.
Dickens’ order allocates $3.1 million to the Gateway Center and Partners for HOME. Broken down, Gateway will receive $700,000, used for the Evolution Center, a low-barrier men’s shelter, while Partners for HOME will be given a $2.4 million donation, according to 11 Alive. Local leaders are praising the mayor’s moves. Jason Winston, Councilman and sponsor of the Gateway Center investment, says it’s long overdue. “This is desperately needed. We’ve got people still living outside, and our hearts go out to them,” Winston said.
To provide more safety for homeless transitions, H.O.P.E. Team officers and members of the Atlanta Police Department have promised not to criminalize homelessness. “These officers are now equipped every time they encounter an individual that’s experiencing homelessness,” Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said. “They have more ready, available opportunities to get the individual off the street.”
Certain projects began in early January 2024. In partnership with the Atlanta Urban Development Corporation, Midtown Fire Station 15 is being transformed into a mixed-use site that will combine affordable and market-rate housing.
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