Atlanta Mayor Proposes $60M Plan to Combat Homelessness

Proposed investment seeks to build 700 affordable housing units
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Sep 4, 2024 4:00 AM CDT
Atlanta Mayor Proposes $60M Plan to Combat Homelessness
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens speaks at a press conference in Woodruff Park on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for Home, and Frank Fernandez, President and CEO at Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, stand beside him.   (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon)

Atlanta is set for a significant investment in housing under a new proposal by Mayor Andre Dickens, aimed at addressing the city's rising homelessness crisis. Announced on Tuesday, the $60 million plan seeks approval from the City Council and includes both public and private funds. The investment is positioned as the city's largest single effort to combat homelessness to date.

A $50 million bond along with $10 million from Atlanta's Affordable Housing Trust Fund would finance the initiative. Dickens aims to construct 700 affordable housing units by next year, including 200 permanent supportive housing units. "The lack of affordable housing has reached a crisis level," Dickens stated, emphasizing the need for greater support.

Existing projects like "The Melody," a community formed from repurposed shipping containers, highlight innovative solutions already in place. Other plans in the works include a rapid rehousing project with 100 modular units and a mixed-income development with 100 permanent supportive housing units. Partners for Home, working closely with the city, has secured $10 million from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. CEO Cathryn Vassell called for accelerated efforts, stating, "We need to rehouse more people faster." The initiative underscores a broader call to address mental health issues among the homeless, stressing the necessity for continued investment in both housing and supportive services.

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Word Count: 218 (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)

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