Homelessness

Look for the definition of homeless and you will see it defined as the lack of a fixed regular, adequate nighttime residence. It is the lack of a place to live, to conduct everyday, routine activities of living. It is triggered by poverty, unemployment, shortage of affordable housing, family breakdown, mental illness, sexual assault, addiction, sudden and prolonged financial difficulties, gambling or social isolation. Liberation from human trafficking can result in homelessness if the supports are not in place to sustain the “liberation.”

Homelessness is often quite visible and a story that is told multiple times throughout the city. In cities you see the shopping carts full of discarded clothing and personal items, the cardboard housing under the underpass, bodies of sleeping individuals curled up on park benches, but it can be hidden as well. Who knows whether the child sitting next to yours is living out of a car with the rest of his family? The face of homelessness in Atlanta includes 3200 people in a 130 square mile footprint.  The city of Atlanta is tied for first place along with larger cities of Boston, San Francisco, Fresno, New York City and Washington, DC.

The number of homeless statewide is 10,234 souls. 

Building community awareness, eliminating aversion (you’ve seen the averted eyes), creating a viable continuum of care and safety nets for the vulnerable are crucial to eliminating homelessness. 

Key in solving much of this is the creation of affordable, adequate, safe housing. Long range plans are for Arms of Refuge to emerge as a safe haven, a source of affordable housing for is those experiencing homelessness including those who have been victims of human trafficking

Homeless Resources

HOPE Atlanta
Non-profit organization
458 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 
(404) 817-7070
Open ⋅ Closes 1PM

Gateway Center
275 Pryor St SW  
(404) 215-6600
Open ⋅ Closes 5PM(57) ·

Atlanta Mission
2353 Bolton Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30318
(404) 588-4000