Visions of HOPE: A New Chapter in the Fight Against Homelessness

There is no shortage of disasters making the front pages these days. One that often slips under the radar is the alarming rates at which Atlantans experience homelessness and housing insecurity. It’s so common to see people sheltering in tents, under bridges, at MARTA stations, and at the airport that it’s easy to forget that each individual is in distress.

Despite being common, homelessness is not normal. It remains a humanitarian crisis. But the cause is no mystery. Atlanta has the greatest income inequality in the nation, a lack of affordable housing, and a high rate of uninsured adults with mental illness (more than 2X the national average). The U.S. as a whole is also falling short of its obligations to ensure access to housing. Recently, the U.S. earned an F on the National Homelessness Law Center’s Human Right to Housing Report Card 2023.

Just as structural failings have long caused homelessness, the right structures and support can help us permanently transform lives and communities. At HOPE Atlanta, we like to think of this as a “bridge” to a brighter, more equitable future.

Walking the Bridge to Self-Sufficiency

From fixed-income seniors to students to full-time working families, our neighbors are increasingly facing homelessness due to factors beyond their control. People in crisis must navigate a complicated system to access housing and other basic needs. And because homelessness often causes or worsens issues like poverty, physical and mental illness, and substance abuse disorders, each day on the streets increases one’s chances of chronic homelessness.

Preventing and reducing homelessness in the long term requires a holistic, evidence-based approach tailored to individuals and their unique communities. With 123+ years as a steadfast support system for Atlantans, HOPE Atlanta will not only continue to be the first line of defense for people facing or at risk of homelessness. We will enhance our services to become a more comprehensive in-house service provider and community convenor, working 1–1 with clients to establish trust, secure housing, provide access to mental health care and other basic needs, and eliminate the complexity of securing the economic and social resources they need to thrive.

Why Now?

Unprecedented COVID-19 mobilization and collaboration significantly reduced homelessness and sparked a renewed interest in solving homelessness. Georgians rose to the challenge of safeguarding vulnerable neighbors and proved what’s possible when the issue has sufficient attention and resources.

But homelessness is increasing again, and now is the time to seize momentum, scale our efforts, and effect lasting change.

A Call to Action

Homelessness has no place in our communities, nor is it a “normal” part of society. But we won’t be able to solve it on our own. Preventing and addressing homelessness requires plenty of collaboration — both from our partner organizations and our compassionate Atlanta community. That includes people like you!

Every act of kindness helps sustain our mission and change lives.

For example:

• $400 could cover the cost of emergency shelter for a domestic abuse victim who was forced to flee.
• $250 could help a family with kids transition to stable housing by covering the cost of utility deposits.
• $125 could provide healthy groceries for a senior so they don’t have to choose between paying rent and buying essentials like food.
• $50 could help a client improve their mental health by providing MARTA transportation to appointments for a week.

Every gift, in any amount, helps strengthen our support system for neighbors in need. Together, we can permanently reduce the burden of homelessness on our communities. Please consider making a donation today and being a part of this transformative journey. 🧡

YES, I believe every person deserves to have HOPE.
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