More people are living on the streets in Atlanta this year, new count shows

ATLANTIS – The number of people experiencing homelessness in Atlanta is on the rise, according to a just-released January tally from a nonprofit that leads the city’s housing efforts.

Partners For Home’s 2024 point-in-time count found about 2,900 people were living on the streets or in shelters. This represents an increase of 7% compared to 2023.

The organization’s executive director blames the housing market as the biggest factor.

“We’re seeing this increase as rents go up and vacancy rates go down,” Vassell said.

But she and some city leaders estimate the number is much higher in the summer.

“It’s enlightening. This shows that we still have a lot of work to do,” said city council member Liliana Bakhtiari. “But our data is incomplete. We must do more. »

Bakhtiari explained that this was because the photo was taken in the middle of winter.

“We need additional information, particularly during the warmer months, when risks of heat-related health problems or deaths may occur,” she said.

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She said she is exploring the possibility of conducting two censuses a year, instead of the biannual census that the federal government requires in January. Vassell noted that the organization conducts annual censuses in January, beyond what the Department of Housing and Urban Development requires.

“It’s not a perfect number by any means,” she said. “I don’t know what impact it would have over multiple counts a year. This is a very significant logistical project that we’ve carried out with over 300 volunteers.”

She pointed out that even with this increase since 2016, homeless rates in Atlanta are down 30 percent.

Council member Bakhtiari said she could introduce the measure creating a second annual homeless count as early as next week.