Atlanta's annual homeless census highlights both outreach efforts and ongoing affordability crisis

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Atlanta volunteers surveyed hundreds of homeless people during one night in January for the annual Point In Time Count.

Credit: City of Atlanta

City leaders are highlighting their efforts to help people facing homelessness in downtown Atlanta ahead of the World Cup. The results of Atlanta’s most recent Point In Time Count, collecting data on homeless people in the city, were released Thursday

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Volunteers for Atlanta's annual census of unhoused people wore bright orange identifying T-shirts for the event.

Credit: City of Atlanta

The annual census, led by Atlanta Partners for Home, found there was an overall 6% increase in homelessness and around 40% of survey participants report this is their first time being unhoused.

The report showed the greatest increases in Atlanta’s homeless landscape among people who are sheltered, not on the street. It cites the cost of living as a driving factor.

"Even though rent increases have slowed somewhat, many families are still feeling the impact of years of rising housing costs while also paying more for groceries, utilities, transportation and healthcare," Partners for Home reports. "For many renters, wages have not kept pace with the cost of living."

In contrast, downtown Atlanta saw its count decline due to targeted outreach that housed over 450 people. 

Partners for Home CEO Cathryn Vassell said the outreach team is part of their long-term strategy to address street homelessness.

"Currently, by deploying 24 dedicated full-time outreach workers over the last year, they will continue to work for the next 12 months in downtown to shore up this effort and ensure that it is successful and remain successful, and that it becomes something we can replicate across the city," she said.

Last year, Partners for Home launched Atlanta Rising, a $235 million plan to end homelessness in the city. The four focus areas are prevention, housing infrastructure, holistic program services and reimagining downtown Atlanta.

Improving the appearance of downtown Atlanta has been a priority for the city ahead of the World Cup. Prior to the 1996 Olympics, many homeless Atlanta residents were arrested.

Vassell said they don’t want to repeat that history during the World Cup. 

"We are inviting shelters to offer more flexible access to their beds," she said. "The city is gearing up to open cooling centers and then also some cooling centers with shelter that will be open around the clock."

The first World Cup game in Atlanta is June 15.