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Homelessness
In metropolitan Atlanta today, this pressing social issue persists. Among those who experience homelessness are
children who call shelters home; struggling working families crowded into the homes of friends and relatives;
vulnerable citizens, often with untreated mental illness, who live on the street; and battered spouses who are
fleeing from danger and violence. Some will overcome homelessness, others will not. Homelessness is an issue.
A solvable issue
Homelessness is an issue, but it does not have to be a given. Working together to rectify the factors that
cause people to become and remain homeless, we can end long-term homelessness. We have the resources, the
intellect, the compassion, and the leadership necessary to do just that. Homelessness is a solvable issue.
A collaborative solution
Our community has been actively engaged since 2003 in a new level of collaboration to tackle the paths that
lead to and prolong homelessness. Our goal is to end, not merely manage, long-term homelessness.
We have successfully rallied commitment and involvement from all parts of our community—government, faith,
civic and nonprofit organizations, private individuals, and the business and philanthropic communities, among
others—along a defined course of action guided by our Blueprint to End Homelessness in Ten Years.
Our community is renewed in carrying out a regional, collaborative solution.
Want to know about the work United Way is doing on homelessness? Read our one page summary.
(pdf)
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Homeless in metro Atlanta
According to a 2007 homeless census and survey in the tri-jurisdictional area*:
| 717 | homeless people were found to be on the streets, in shelters, transitional housing, service programs or at meal sites. |
| 23% | stated that they were veterans with 32% reporting to have been in combat. |
| 47% | of the people indicated that drug or alcohol use was the reason for their homelessness |
| 29% | of survey respondents had been homeless for more than one year. |
*Source: 2007 Tri-Jurisdictional Collaborative Homeless Census and survey covering the City of Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb County.
The information is from a point-in-time survey.
Getting involved
Volunteer your time and ideas to programs within your community.
Educate yourself, friends, family and colleagues about homelessness.
View our video
Together: Ending chronic homelessness (wmv - 130 MB)
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