ATLANTA — Individuals experiencing homelessness in metro Atlanta could now get access to housing after Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens signed an executive order launching a new initiative on Wednesday.
The order issues a total of $4 million to be allocated towards the rapid housing project through the City's Continuum of Care Partners of Home, according to city officials.
Georgia's Emergency Management Agency will donate shipping containers that will be used as a housing option, along with temporary hospitals constructed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Each and every Atlantan deserves a place to call home and our Administration understands the sense of urgency to stabilize individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our city,” said Mayor Dickens.
The shipping containers will be quickly delivered and crafted for residents. City officials said that the containers are a cost-effective option. Mayor Dickens and his administration added that the project will be located in Downtown Atlanta near Garnett MARTA station on 184 Forsyth Street.
Deunta Davis said he frequents Forsyth Street.
He’s seen an uptick in the homeless community, which he is part of.
“They used to put them in apartments before but I don’t know what happened with that because now everybody is right back on the streets. I don’t know if they ran out of funding but they should definitely give these people a place to lay their head,” said Davis.
Davis is one of the people that could be helped by the new initiative in Dickens' office.
Officials added that residents will receive assistance in mental health services, substance abuse, employment opportunities and more.
“Any one of us are just one bad day away from finding ourselves needing a hand-up to get back on our feet. Working with our partners and City Council, and using a little innovation, we will swiftly deploy these resources to give folks the support they need and deserve,” said Dickens.
Adrianne Hamilton-Butler works with one of the nonprofits that will help Dickens' administration with this effort.
She said other cities are using shipping containers to house the unsheltered but it's not a fix-all solution.
“The other thing we need to be concerned about is making sure these containers are sanitary. That they are ready for families and individuals to live in. The other thing we need to make sure of is that they are in communities where people have access to services,” said Hamilton-Butler of Zaban Paradise.
The administration wants the Forsyth Street property to be used as a long-term permanent mixed-income housing with a redevelopment expansion.
Teams will begin community engagement soon about the planned project, according to the mayor's office.
Davis said hearing that the city is working to help the unhoused gives him hope.
“Give us somewhere to go. I’m homeless too. Not like that but I’m homeless too. Anybody can be in that situation especially nowadays... Anybody can be homeless right now,” said Davis.
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