LISTEN: Atlanta is building hundreds of units of permanent supportive housing, but without funding promised by Fulton County, there will be service gaps. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports on the  tensions between Atlanta and the county.

 

a three story apartment building under construction

Construction on the Beacon On Cooper is expected to be complete in 2 months. However, the future of funding for supportive services remains uncertain as Fulton County adjusts their budget.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens spoke during a tour of the city’s latest rapid housing development about the importance of partnerships to fight homelessness. However, Fulton County leaders say they may not have the budget to deliver their promised funding. 

City and county leaders gathered in the cold to see the Beacon on Cooper, an upcoming rapid housing development in South Atlanta with 100 units of permanent supportive housing. 

Funding from the city supports construction of the 230 supportive housing units scheduled to be complete this year. Then Fulton County steps in to cover the cost of services as part of a 30-year agreement signed in 2019. 

But in a December meeting, Fulton County told Atlanta leaders it doesn't have the funds to cover the cost of supportive services. 

Dickens said the county government needs to follow through on its charter. 

“Health and Human Services is a requirement of the county government, so we are standing here today saying: Do what you say you're gonna do,” he said. “And for the next 30 years, you're supposed to put up at a minimum $4.8 million. You can't walk back from that.”

Funding for supportive housing for chronically homeless residents in Atlanta comes from a combination of federal, state, county and local city funding. 

Gov. Brian Kemp recently proposed $50 million of funding available for urban areas to address homelessness. 

Fulton District 4 Commissioner Mo Ivory spoke on Thursday about the importance of Fulton County honoring their commitment. She said stable housing is an effective, proven solution for homelessness.

“Fulton County is already paying for homelessness through jail operations, emergency care, and crisis services,” she said. “Supportive housing costs less and produces better outcomes. This is not spending more; it's about spending smarter.”

Ivory explained that there is a supportive housing deficit of 248 units across the county and funding for the current housing is only secured through 2026. Atlanta is collaborating with nonprofits like Partners for HOME  to work towards its goal of building or preserving 20,000 units of affordable housing.

Partners for HOME CEO Cathyrn Vassell said the majority of people placed in permanent supportive housing are staying housed or moving onto stable destinations. 

“There is data to support its efficacy at ending homelessness for individuals, reducing returns to homelessness, and most importantly, saving lives and saving money cost to taxpayers as well as to our emergency crisis response systems like the jail, like the emergency department, to our police force,” she said.

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners will vote on its 2026 budget on Jan. 21. 

Tags: GPB News  Fulton County  Atlanta  homelessness  affordable housing  Georgia