ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Back in February, Partners for HOME, which works with the city of Atlanta, started targeting encampments underneath bridges, hoping to place those people into proper housing.
“Progress is being made. It is a lot of work,” said Cathryn Vassell, CEO for Partners for HOME.
It’s a lot of work but the numbers are looking good. Vassell said they have permanently housed 85 people out of their goal of 307. On top of that, 61 people have applications for housing put in, which could drive that 85 number up. But that target number 307 can easily change based on many factors. It fluctuates.
“In general, most people want to get into housing,” she said. “There are obviously other complicating factors like mental illness, addiction and things like that. We work with individuals who have chronic issues.”
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Before and after pictures presented at the latest meeting of Atlanta City Council’s Community Development/Human Services Committee showed how effective the efforts have been.
“It’s done in a compassionate and humane way really focused on the individual that’s there,” said Vassell, who presented the findings at the committee meeting.
“I’m very happy about these numbers,” said Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari.
Council members praised the efforts, but some had concerns for people returning to the bridges.
“You and I have done rides in certain areas, and you’ll find people that you have housed two weeks prior that are back at the same location because it’s what they know,” said Bakhtiari.
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Councilmember Jason Dozier believes possibly placing cameras at some locations could work as a deterrent.
“So if it detects movement, it’s like warning you’re being watched, to try to discourage someone,” he said Tuesday.
Overall, Vassell believes progress is being made, but there is still plenty of work to do.
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