Homelessness in Atlanta: How Big Is the Problem and What Does It Look Like?

Homelessness is a visible and often debated issue in Atlanta, Georgia. If you live in the city, commute through downtown, or visit neighborhoods like Midtown or the Westside, you’ve likely seen people sleeping in doorways, under bridges, or near MARTA stations and wondered: Does Atlanta have a homeless problem?

The short answer is yes, Atlanta does have a significant homelessness challenge, but it is also a city with many organizations, faith groups, and government agencies actively working on responses. Understanding how homelessness shows up in Atlanta helps you navigate the city, stay safe, and know how to help if you choose.

How Homelessness Shows Up in Atlanta

Visible areas where people notice it most

Homelessness in Atlanta is not evenly spread. You’re more likely to see people experiencing homelessness in:

• Downtown – around Peachtree Street, Five Points, and near large office buildings
• Midtown – near major intersections, around Arts Center and North Avenue MARTA stations
• The Gulch and underpasses – in and around downtown rail lines and highway underpasses
• Westside and nearby corridors – near social-service centers and lower-cost motels

You may see:

• People sleeping on sidewalks or benches
• Makeshift encampments in wooded areas or under bridges
• Individuals asking for money or food at intersections or near convenience stores

While this is what’s most visible, it’s only part of the picture. Many Atlantans experiencing homelessness are not sleeping on the street but in shelters, cars, motels, or temporarily with friends or family.

Is Homelessness Getting Better or Worse in Atlanta?

From a resident or visitor perspective, it can feel like homelessness is increasing, especially in dense parts of the city. People commonly notice:

• More encampments under highway overpasses
• More panhandling in business districts
• Greater visibility outside shelters and service centers

At the same time, local agencies and nonprofits have been working for years to:

• Add shelter beds and transitional housing
• Expand street outreach teams
• Connect people with rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing

Both can be true: the issue is visible and serious, and there are structured efforts underway to reduce it, especially for veterans, families with children, and chronically homeless individuals. Progress is often uneven, neighborhood-specific, and influenced by housing costs and economic shifts.

Why Is Homelessness a Challenge in Atlanta?

Homelessness in Atlanta is not caused by a single factor. People often end up without stable housing because of a mix of:

• High and rising housing costs – Rents in many neighborhoods have gone up faster than local wages, especially near the core.
• Low-wage or unstable employment – Many service, hospitality, and gig jobs don’t always cover rent, especially after a job loss or emergency.
• Evictions and housing instability – Missed rent, utility shutoffs, or conflicts with landlords can quickly lead to loss of housing.
• Family or relationship conflict – Including domestic violence, family rejection, or divorce.
• Past involvement with the justice system – Making it harder to find stable work and housing.
• Limited access to consistent care – Some people face untreated or under-treated mental health or substance-use challenges, which can worsen housing instability.

In Atlanta, these pressures are intensified by the city’s rapid growth and redevelopment, especially in formerly lower-cost areas. As older apartment buildings and motels are renovated or demolished, long-term residents with limited incomes may be displaced.

Types of Homelessness You’ll See in Atlanta

Not everyone without stable housing is in the same situation. In Atlanta you’ll find:

1. People living unsheltered

These are individuals sleeping:

• On sidewalks, in parks, or behind buildings
• Under highway overpasses or along rail lines
• In tents or makeshift encampments

They may be the most visible, especially downtown and near major transportation corridors.

2. People staying in shelters

Atlanta has a network of emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, and missions. These serve:

• Single adults
• Families with children
• Youth and young adults

They may not be visible in public spaces because they spend nights in facilities such as:

• Gateway Center, 275 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Atlanta Mission (The Shepherd’s Inn and other facilities), 165 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

3. “Hidden” homelessness

Many Atlantans experiencing homelessness never appear in camps or shelters. They may be:

• Sleeping in cars or vans
• Staying in extended-stay motels week-to-week
• Temporarily staying with friends or relatives (“couch surfing”)

These situations are common, especially in areas outside the downtown core and across metro Atlanta.

How Homelessness Affects Day-to-Day Life in Atlanta

For residents

If you live in Atlanta, you might notice:

• Individuals regularly near grocery stores, gas stations, and transit stops
• Encampments under nearby bridges or in wooded lots
• Increased concerns about safety, property, and cleanliness around certain corridors

Residents often feel a mix of compassion, frustration, and uncertainty about how to respond. They may worry about:

• Walking after dark in areas with large encampments
• Children encountering people in distress near schools or parks
• Trash or discarded items near camps and underpasses

For visitors

Visitors staying downtown or in Midtown might:

• Encounter panhandlers outside hotels or attractions
• See people sleeping in doorways or bus shelters
• Feel unsure about how to respond when approached for money

Most interactions are non-threatening, but visitors are often advised to:

• Stay in well-lit, populated areas, especially at night
• Be polite but firm if they don’t want to give money
• Call 911 only for emergencies (danger, threats, medical crises), not for the presence of homelessness alone

Is It Safe to Walk Around Downtown and Midtown?

Downtown and Midtown Atlanta remain heavily used business, residential, and tourist areas. You will see homeless individuals, but most people routinely walk to work, restaurants, and events without incident.

Practical tips:

• Stick to main streets and busy blocks, especially at night.
• If you’re approached, a simple “No, I’m not able to help today” and moving on is typically enough.
• If someone seems in distress (e.g., disoriented, unconscious, or in immediate danger), you can contact emergency services.

Homelessness in itself does not automatically mean danger. However, visible distress, public intoxication, or large encampments can sometimes make areas feel less comfortable, especially after dark.

How Atlanta Is Responding to Homelessness

Local government efforts

The City of Atlanta and Fulton County coordinate with multiple partners to:

• Fund emergency shelter beds and warming centers during cold weather
• Support street outreach teams who connect with unsheltered people
• Provide rapid rehousing for people who become homeless recently
• Expand permanent supportive housing for those with long-term needs

Key players include:

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Human Services
• Partners for HOME (the lead agency for the Atlanta homeless services system)

They work alongside nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and housing providers.

Nonprofit and faith-based services

Many organizations in Atlanta focus on different pieces of the homelessness puzzle, such as:

• Emergency shelter and meals
• Job readiness and employment services
• Assistance with IDs, documents, and benefits
• Case management and housing navigation

Some widely known service hubs include:

• Gateway Center – central intake and services for adults
• Atlanta Mission – shelters and programs for men, women, and families
• Salvation Army – Metro Atlanta – housing and support programs
• Various churches and faith communities offering day services, food, and outreach

What If You Encounter Someone Experiencing Homelessness in Atlanta?

If you’re approached for money

You are not required to give money, and many Atlantans choose different approaches:

• Some give food, water, or transit passes instead of cash.
• Others prefer to support local shelters or service organizations financially.

If you’re uncomfortable:

• Make brief eye contact if you feel safe, say something like, “I’m sorry, I can’t help today,” and continue walking.
• Avoid arguments or confrontations.

If someone appears to need help

You might see someone who seems sick, injured, or in crisis. You can:

• Call 911 for immediate emergencies (medical crises, violence, threats, or someone in clear danger).
• If it’s non-emergency but concerning, in Atlanta and Fulton County you can call the non-emergency police line (often listed on local government websites) to ask for guidance.

Keep in mind: not every person sitting or sleeping outdoors is in immediate crisis; some may decline offers of help or services.

How to Help with Homelessness in Atlanta (If You Want To)

If you’re an Atlanta resident or a long-term visitor and want to be part of solutions, you have options.

1. Support established organizations

Many people choose to donate money or items to organizations that specialize in:

• Shelter and housing placement
• Employment support
• Food and hygiene services

Well-established hubs often accept:

• Monetary donations
• Seasonal clothing (e.g., coats in winter)
• Hygiene kits (travel-size soap, toothpaste, etc.)

Contact organizations directly or visit their main offices (for example, Gateway Center on Pryor Street or Atlanta Mission on Ivan Allen Jr Blvd) to ask what is most useful at the time.

2. Volunteer your time

Common volunteer options in Atlanta include:

• Serving meals or organizing donation closets
• Helping with resume workshops or job readiness programs
• Supporting outreach events or seasonal initiatives

Most agencies list volunteer opportunities and orientation times by phone or at their physical offices.

3. Advocate for housing and services

Residents sometimes get involved by:

• Attending city council or neighborhood meetings related to housing and development
• Supporting efforts that increase affordable housing and supportive services
• Speaking up when redevelopment projects threaten to displace existing low-income residents

Policy and funding decisions at the city and county level have a major impact on how visible and severe homelessness is across Atlanta.

Key Takeaways: Homelessness in Atlanta at a Glance

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding the scope, causes, and responses to homelessness can make the city easier to navigate and engage with. Atlanta does have a homeless problem, but it is also a city where many people and organizations work every day to reduce it and support neighbors who are struggling.