Homelessness Support from Gateway Center and Partners for HOME

Little 5 Points is a welcoming, open, and tolerant community. At the same time, we recognize that the district struggles with helping those experiencing homelessness, mental illness, or drug abuse. Often both the Atlanta Police Department and PAD are limited in what they can do to provide support and help.

Starting in October, the Alliance will partner with the Gateway Center and Partners for HOME to have two case workers visiting Little 5 Points and providing necessary assistance. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, Gateway workers will walk through the district seeking out individuals who need support. The initial focus will be on the case workers becoming familiar with the members of the community and starting relationship building and helping meet basic needs. Moving forward, the Gateway workers will help individuals apply for a Rapid Rehousing Unit to try to get them off the street and into a safe home.

This work is possible thanks to Partners for HOME whose mission is to “coordinate a comprehensive crisis response system to end homelessness in the City of Atlanta.” As a result of the City of Atlanta and State of Georgia investing a combined $26.6 M in homelessness response, Partners for HOME has set a goal to house 1,500 households. They do this through their “LIFT 2.0” program, which prioritizes people experiencing unsheltered and chronic homelessness – individuals we regularly see in Little 5 Points. The approach includes reducing encampments, moving people into housing, and ensuring access to supportive services.

Having case workers with expertise in working with those experiencing homelessness has long been a goal of the Little 5 Points Alliance. We know this is the first step, and we will continue to provide updates and hope to see progress in this critical area.