Newsweek: Atlanta Mayor Announces $60M Plan to Help City's Homeless

Natalie Venegas, Newsweek

In an effort to tackle the rising homeless population in Atlanta, Mayor Andre Dickens announced a $60 million housing proposal on Tuesday.

The plan, which awaits approval from the City Council, aims to create 700 units of affordable housing by next year, marking the city's most significant investment in addressing homelessness.

Speaking at a news conference in downtown Woodruff Park, a site often frequented by the city's homeless population, Dickens pointed toward the urgency of the issue, saying that affordable housing has reached a "crisis level."

"I believe that the lack of affordable housing has reached a crisis level, not just here in Atlanta, but in cities all across the United States of America and in every part of our region," Dickens said.

In a news release emailed to Newsweek, Dickens added: "This is not just about offering someone a roof over their heads for a night or two. It is about creating a pathway and building a foundation for a better life. Thank you to City Council in advance for their collaboration on the legislation, to The Community Foundation for the first major commitment to this cause and everyone else who is pitching in on the group project—because they realize we are not just building housing; we are building hope."

His proposal outlines a mix of public and private funding, including a $50 million bond and $10 million from Atlanta's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, to create these critical projects. According to Dickens, if the proposal passes, it could double the city's investment in reducing homelessness, potentially bringing total public and private spending to more than $120 million.

The housing plan comes as Dickens, a Democrat facing reelection in 2025, has made affordable housing a cornerstone of his administration. His proposal includes 200 units of permanent supportive housing and 500 rapid delivery units, all coupled with essential support services.

Dickens' plan has already gained momentum with two new projects underway. One, northwest of downtown, will offer 100 modular units by next year. Another, south of downtown, will provide a mix of income-level housing, including 100 units of permanent supportive housing.

The initiative also relies heavily on partnerships with local organizations. Partners for Home, a key collaborator in the city's efforts, is set to receive $10 million from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. The group, which housed nearly 2,500 families last year, is now striving to secure an additional $43 million in private funds to meet the growing demand for housing and related services.

Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for Home, reiterated the mayor's urgency during Tuesday's news conference: "We need to rehouse more people, and we need to do it faster. This is an emergency, and we must act accordingly."

Vassell also stressed the need for more resources, specifically mental health services that could cater to people who often don't have health insurance.

"This is not a one-and-done issue," Vassell said. "We have to continue to invest with the right level of resources, at the right pace and scale, as quickly and humanly possible."

This is also not the first time the city has made efforts to address homelessness, as the city repurposed a set of shipping containers into 40 studio apartments that make up a community known as "The Melody," which opened earlier this year. This project follows a broader trend seen in cities like Austin and Los Angeles, where similar communities have been built to provide housing and essential services.

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