A Perfect Storm: Rising Homelessness and the Impact of Johnson v. Grants Pass
Each January, Partners for HOME conducts the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, a snapshot of Atlanta homelessness on a single night. The recently published 2024 PIT Count report reveals several concerning trends.
Volunteers counted 2,867 persons experiencing homelessness within the City of Atlanta, a 7% year-over-year increase. The number of unsheltered individuals increased by 41%, and chronic homelessness has seen the largest percentage increase among subpopulations (33%). Unsurprisingly, demand for rehousing services also increased by 1,000; 80% of those seeking services were experiencing homelessness for the first time.
The new data was released just days after the U.S. Supreme Court’s disturbing Johnson v. Grants Pass ruling, which allows communities to criminalize homelessness.
“Arresting or fining individuals for homelessness is inhumane, expensive, and fails to address the root causes of the issue,” said Hope Atlanta CEO Julio Carrillo.
Mayor Andre Dickens announced that the City of Atlanta will continue to focus on humane, sustainable solutions, and social service agencies like Hope Atlanta are bracing for an influx of people seeking refuge as neighboring communities start citing, arresting, or fining people for sleeping outside. Dozens of local Georgia governments, including Gwinnett County, Roswell, and Marietta, already have laws banning outdoor sleeping similar to those in Grants Pass.
“We can expect to see people who are being mistreated in cities that they are living unhoused in coming to the city of Atlanta and seeking services,” said Kellie Glenn, Hope Atlanta’s Chief Development Officer.
Rising homelessness rates, combined with the anticipated surge after the SCOTUS ruling, could create an unprecedented strain on Atlanta’s support systems and a heightened urgency for comprehensive, compassionate solutions. Hope Atlanta’s commitment to meaningful solutions — housing, case management, behavioral health care, and outreach — remains unwavering.
“As Mayor Andre Dickens often says, ‘Atlanta is a group project,’” says Carrillo. “At Hope Atlanta, we are proud to be part of that group project to end homelessness in our city.”
Everyone can play a role in this “group project.” Now, more than ever, your support is crucial. Join us in advocating for compassionate solutions and providing essential services to those in need. Together, we can help create a future where all our Atlanta neighbors have a place to call home.
Visit HopeAtlanta.org to make your donation today→
About Hope Atlanta
As Georgia’s longest-standing nonprofit organization committed to assisting people experiencing homelessness, we’ve seen our community through trying times since 1900.
More than a century later, homelessness remains a humanitarian crisis perpetuated by systemic inequality that leaves countless neighbors one unexpected expense away from the streets. We remain a steadfast support system for those who may otherwise be overlooked, relieving them from the constant threat of homelessness and paving the way to self-sufficiency.
Learn more: hopeatlanta.org
