Current:Home > MyAtlanta mayor proposes $60M to house the homeless -AssetVision
Atlanta mayor proposes $60M to house the homeless
Rekubit View
Date:2025-04-10 19:17:10
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta’s mayor proposed a $60 million investment in housing Tuesday as the city grapples with a rising homeless population.
Under Mayor Andre Dickens’ proposal, which needs approval from the City Council, a combination of public and private funds would bolster projects across the city. Dickens said he hopes to build 700 units of affordable housing by next year. A Democrat who is up for reelection in 2025, Dickens said the funding would be the city’s largest single investment in homelessness to date if the City Council approves it.
“I believe that the lack of affordable housing has reached a crisis level, not just here in Atlanta, but in cities all across the United States of America and in every part of our region,” Dickens said at a news conference in downtown Woodruff Park, where many homeless people often congregate.
The funding would come from a $50 million bond, along with $10 million from Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Dickens said the city hopes that with additional private giving, public and private spending on reducing homelessness will rise to more than $120 million.
The city repurposed a set of shipping containers into 40 studio apartments that make up a community known as “The Melody,” which opened in January. Cities including Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles have opened similar developments that include medical and social services as they work to solve what has become a nationwide struggle to get people housed.
Two new Atlanta projects are already underway. A rapid rehousing project northwest of downtown will provide 100 modular units next year. Another project south of downtown will offer mixed-income units that include 100 units of permanent supportive housing.
Dickens promised to focus on affordable housing early in his campaign. The 700 units of affordable housing that the mayor wants to finish by the end of next year include 200 permanent supportive housing units and 500 quick delivery housing units paired with support services, he said.
Partners for Home, an organization that works with the city on housing, will receive $10 million from Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. Partners for Home CEO Cathryn Vassell said the group found housing for almost 2,500 households last year. But Vassell hopes to raise another $43 million in private funds to manage services for an increasing number of homeless people.
“We need to rehouse more people, and we need to rehouse more people faster,” Vassell said. “We must move like we have not moved before, and our system must be fueled to respond to the emergency that homelessness is.”
A survey from last year found that a large number of homeless people battle mental health issues, Dickens said. Vassell said she hopes governments will offer more mental health services, especially to a group of people who often don’t have health insurance.
“This is not a one-and-done issue,” Vassell said. “We have to continue to invest with the right level of resources, at the right pace and scale, as quickly and humanly possible.”
__
Charlotte Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon
veryGood! (865)
Related
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Animal populations shrank an average of 69% over the last half-century, a report says
- What to know about Brazil's election as Bolsonaro faces Lula, with major world impacts
- More money, more carbon?
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Mark Consuelos Reveals Why Daughter Lola Doesn't Love His Riverdale Fame
- Selling Sunset Season 6 Finally Has a Premiere Date and Teaser
- U.N. plan would help warn people in vulnerable countries about climate threats
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- See Elon Musk Play With His and Grimes’ Son X AE A-XII in Rare Photos
Ranking
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- 20 Must-Have Amazon Products For People Who Are Always Spilling Things
- Climate protesters throw soup on Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' painting in London
- Snow blankets Los Angeles area in rare heavy storm
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- The Nord Stream pipelines have stopped leaking. But the methane emitted broke records
- Extremist Futures
- Climate is changing too quickly for the Sierra Nevada's 'zombie forests'
Recommendation
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Freddie Highmore Recalls Being Thrown Into Broom Closet to Avoid Run-In With TV Show Host
'Steam loops' under many cities could be a climate change solution
Emperor penguins will receive endangered species protections
Average rate on 30
More than 100 people are dead and dozens are missing in storm-ravaged Philippines
Winter storm sending heavy snow where California rarely sees it
Caitlyn Jenner Mourns Death of Mom Esther Jenner