Current:Home > MarketsAtlanta mayor proposes $60M to house the homeless-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Atlanta mayor proposes $60M to house the homeless
View Date:2024-12-23 22:57:32
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! (6467)
Related
- CRYPTIFII Introduce
- Miley Cyrus sued over allegations her hit song 'Flowers' copied a Bruno Mars song
- A man accused of stalking UConn star Paige Bueckers is found with an engagement ring near airport
- Jordan Chiles takes fight over Olympic bronze medal to Swiss high court
- Jennifer Garner Details Navigating Grief 7 Months After Death of Her Dad William Garner
- Trump will soon be able to sell shares in Truth Social’s parent company. What’s at stake?
- Vance and Georgia Gov. Kemp project Republican unity at evangelical event after Trump tensions
- Gilmore Girls Star Kelly Bishop Reveals Which Love Interests She'd Pick for Lorelai and Rory
- Dwayne Johnson Admits to Peeing in Bottles on Set After Behavior Controversy
- 'Jackass' star Steve-O says he scrapped breast implants prank after chat with trans stranger
Ranking
- Agents search home of ex-lieutenant facing scrutiny as police probe leak of school shooting evidence
- Democrats run unopposed to fill 2 state House vacancies in Philadelphia
- HISA equine welfare unit probe says University of Kentucky lab did not follow testing guidelines
- Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp to miss 'good amount of time' due to ankle injury
- Black and Latino families displaced from Palm Springs neighborhood reach $27M tentative settlement
- Saquon Barkley takes blame for critical drop that opened door in Eagles' stunning collapse
- Second person dies from shooting at Detroit Lions tailgate party
- Cult leaders convicted of forcing children to work 16-hour days without pay
Recommendation
-
Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn ends retirement, plans to return to competition
-
What time is the partial lunar eclipse? Tonight's celestial event coincides with Harvest Moon
-
Saquon Barkley takes blame for critical drop that opened door in Eagles' stunning collapse
-
Trump will soon be able to sell shares in Truth Social’s parent company. What’s at stake?
-
US wholesale inflation picks up slightly in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
-
Let This Be Your Easy Guide to What the Easy A Cast Is Up to Now
-
Ex-police officer accused of killing suspected shoplifter is going on trial in Virginia
-
Olivia Jade and Jacob Elordi Show Rare PDA While Celebrating Sister Bella Giannulli’s Birthday