HOPE Atlanta Field Report 2nd Edition: July 2023

Friends, thank you for your interest in homelessness in our Atlanta community. We were encouraged by the positive response to our last field report and believe it signals a growing concern toward our neighbors facing tough times.

Combatting homelessness is a collaborative effort involving many partner organizations, the government, and the community. And there's every reason to believe our combined efforts are working!

In our latest field report, we're highlighting these partnerships and their impact in recent years. We're also sharing firsthand stories and updates on our involvement in LIFT 2.0 (a continuation of the COVID response aiming to house 1,500 individuals), common causes of homelessness, and what homelessness can look like today (it might surprise you!). 

Download the report →

TL;DR:

• HOPE Atlanta is partnering with Partners for HOME and other organizations to transition 1,500 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness from encampments to permanent housing. 
• While there are plenty of challenges — like strict landlord requirements, high rent costs, and keeping transient clients engaged — the team is dedicated to helping each client take the next step toward stability and self-sufficiency.
• What causes homelessness in Atlanta? Contrary to popular belief, it's often factors beyond peoples' control, like rent hikes, job losses, medical emergencies, or domestic violence. 
• When it comes to the scope of homelessness in our communities, the people you might see living under bridges or in encampments are the tip of the iceberg. We call this "hidden homelessness."
• Besides helping those in need secure housing, HOPE Atlanta provides wraparound services like hunger relief to at-risk households and neighborhoods. The Smart Lunch Smart Kid program will prevent approximately 125 children from going hungry this summer.