MARIETTA, Ga. — The Marietta City Council has just greenlit a project aimed at providing transitional housing for homeless school children in the city.
A vacant lot behind a bustling business on Cobb Parkway in Marietta is getting new life thanks to a recently approved project to build 15 tiny homes for homeless children and their families.
“From the information that we received, there’s over 500 students that are living in cars as opposed to living in homes," said Marietta City Councilman Andre Sims.
Sims said homelessness is growing in the city, and local leaders, with the help of the faith-based community, plan to do something about it.
The Emmanuel’s Village project is just the start. The community is inspired by businesswoman Molly Holm’s son Luke, who raised money by selling homemade pickles to help a homeless employee.
“He raised enough money with his pickle project to house this man Tim for four years," Holm said.
The transitional housing project is expected to cost around $3 million.
All the funds will be raised privately by nonprofits, churches and Glory Haus. Residents will stay in the homes for up to 24 months while receiving support services.
“We’re doing transitional. So we’re gonna get them stable. They’ll be able to stay from six months up to two years and then find permanent housing," said Holm.
Verdaillia Turner with the Georgia Federation of Teachers says stable housing is critical to a child's success in the classroom.
“When you don’t have those needs taken care of the child cannot succeed (and) achieve. Many children cannot even pay attention to what’s going on," Turner said.
Holm said each home costs about $200,000.
She hopes to have the first homes ready by the fall so that unhoused kids can start the new school year living in a home.
To help the cause, you can donate to the fundraiser using the link here.