City of Atlanta nonprofit making progress by clearing encampments under bridges and providing housing

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Last February, Partners for HOME, which works with the City of Atlanta, began targeting encampments under bridges, hoping to place these people in suitable housing.

“Progress is being made. It’s a lot of work,” said Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for HOME.

It’s a lot of work but the numbers look good. Vassell said they have permanently housed 85 people out of their goal of 307. On top of that, 61 people have applied for housing, which could increase that number to 85. But this target number 307 can easily change depending on many factors. It fluctuates.

“In general, most people want access to housing,” she said. “There are obviously other complicating factors, such as mental illness, addiction, etc. We work with people who have chronic problems.

RELATED: Atlanta begins cleaning up homeless encampments near bridges after series of fires

Before and after photos presented at the most recent meeting of the Atlanta City Council’s Community Development and Social Services Committee showed how effective the efforts were.

“It’s done in a compassionate and humane way, really focusing on the person there,” said Vassell, who presented the findings at the committee meeting.

“I am very happy with these figures,” said councilor Liliana Bakhtiari.

Council members praised the efforts, but some expressed concern about people returning to the bridges.

“You and I have been hiking in certain areas, and you’ll find people that you hosted two weeks before who are back in the same place because that’s what they’re familiar with,” Bakhtiari said.

RELATED: Cheshire Bridge Road reopens months after road closed by fire

Councilor Jason Dozier believes that placing cameras in certain locations could have a deterrent effect.

“So if it detects movement, it’s like warning that you’re being watched, to try to discourage someone,” he said Tuesday.

Overall, Vassell believes progress has been made, but there is still much work to be done.

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