Hope Atlanta at 125: Answering the Call, Building a Stronger Future

Homelessness is no longer confined to downtown streets. It’s in grocery store parking lots, hotel rooms, and the backseats of cars. Today’s unhoused neighbors are working families, students, veterans, and individuals who’ve experienced just one unexpected setback. Atlanta’s affordable housing crisis—compounded by systemic failures and a shortage of 70,000 affordable homes—has left thousands teetering on the edge. In 2023, more than 2,600 people experienced homelessness each night in Atlanta, and the numbers continue to rise.

This is the focus of our Field Report—a quarterly insight from Hope Atlanta’s frontline experts that explores the urgent issues driving homelessness and how our community can respond. Each edition offers data, stories, and solutions, connecting what we’re seeing on the ground to the action we need to take together.

This special edition also commemorates Hope Atlanta’s 125th anniversary by highlighting 12 key milestones in our history—from our beginnings in 1900 as Travelers Aid, to our leadership during national crises, to innovations like The Melody, a permanent supportive housing initiative developed with the City of Atlanta and Partners for HOME. These moments reflect our legacy and our continued evolution to meet Atlanta’s most significant needs with compassion, connection, and hope.

The Field Report shares powerful stories from neighbors whose lives have been transformed through Hope Atlanta. One such inspiring journey is Ms. Gloria’s. After battling addiction and losing hope, Gloria experienced a pivotal moment at a local Waffle House when a stranger’s unexpected kindness—a check for tuition at Georgia State University—changed her trajectory. Today, Gloria serves as one of Hope Atlanta’s most successful Support Specialists on the MARTA outreach team, exemplifying resilience, determination, and the profound impact of timely support.

Atlanta’s homelessness crisis is visible, complex, and growing. The report emphasizes systemic barriers like rising rents, stagnant wages, and limited access to mental health services. Yet, it offers a clear message of hope and actionable solutions. By investing in stable housing, integrated mental health care, and comprehensive support services, homelessness is solvable.

Hope Atlanta’s holistic, collaborative approach is vital, relying heavily on partnerships with the City of Atlanta and businesses such as MARTA, Norfolk Southern, QuikTrip, and The Home Depot. These partnerships extend beyond funding; they embody a shared responsibility to build sustainable, resilient communities.

Atlanta’s business community has a critical role to play in addressing homelessness. The Field Report serves as a call to action for businesses to engage in meaningful partnerships that create lasting change. Together, we can build a future where no one is left without hope.

Explore the full Field Report here: Field Reports | Hope Atlanta

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