Closing the gap on homelessness in Atlanta

Atlanta's homeless population on an average night is estimated at 13,000 by Research Atlanta. Families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, primarily comprised of single mothers with children. Most of these individuals never dreamed that they would be homeless. Poverty, lack of affordable housing, eroding job opportunities, mental illness, domestic violence, chemical dependency, desertion or death of a parent or spouse and catastrophic illness all are causes of homelessness.

Many of these people simply need a chance – a helping hand to regain lives of self-sufficiency. Shelters, or transitional housing, provide temporarily homeless individuals and families with safe, dignified environments that blend into neighborhoods and offer life and job skills training programs that promote independence.

Although the Atlanta area offers many excellent programs to assist homeless people, the organizations cannot keep up with the increasing demand. It is clear Atlanta requires more resources and greater visibility in helping the homeless. HomeAid Atlanta is one such resource that is helping to improve the conditions of Atlanta's homeless individuals and families by focusing on increasing community shelter capacities, allowing more homeless children, women and men an opportunity to turn their lives around.

Working in partnership with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (HBA), HomeAid Atlanta is fulfilling its mission of building dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. HomeAid Atlanta mobilizes members of the HBA to donate construction services and materials to build, renovate, and expand shelter facilities, allowing the Care Provider to serve more temporarily homeless individuals and families. Therefore, HomeAid Atlanta builds transitional housing with minimal cash, allowing the Care Provider to focus their limited resources on direct services for the homeless.