Our House Atlanta: Supportive Housing and Services for Families Experiencing Homelessness

Finding safe, stable housing in Atlanta can be challenging, especially for families going through a crisis. Our House Atlanta is one of the local organizations focused on helping families with young children move from homelessness or housing instability toward safety, stability, and greater independence.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting and trying to help someone in crisis, or simply want to understand how family-focused housing support works here, this guide walks through what Our House does, who it serves, and how it fits into the broader housing and support system in the city.

What Is Our House Atlanta?

Our House is an Atlanta-based nonprofit that focuses primarily on:

  • Families experiencing homelessness or housing instability
  • Young children, especially those needing early childhood education
  • Supportive services that help parents move toward long-term stability

While many people hear “Our House Atlanta” and think of it simply as a “house” or shelter, it’s more accurate to think of it as a family services organization that combines:

  • Housing and shelter support (through certain programs)
  • Early childhood education and child care
  • Job readiness and support for parents
  • Case management and referrals to other services

Programs are offered at multiple locations in the Atlanta area, with a focus on central and metro Atlanta neighborhoods where family need is high.

Who Our House Atlanta Primarily Serves

Our House is specifically geared toward families with young children—not single adults. While exact criteria and availability can change, in general, Our House tends to support:

  • Parents or guardians with children, often ages birth to 5
  • Families who are currently homeless, living in shelters, doubled up, or in unstable or unsafe housing situations
  • Families with low or limited income who need support to move toward stable housing and employment
  • Caregivers who may need child care so they can work, attend school, or participate in training

If you are a single adult without children, or your children are all older teens, you may be directed to other Atlanta shelters or housing programs that better fit your situation.

Key Programs and Services at Our House Atlanta

Programs and offerings can evolve, but Our House has consistently focused on a few core areas. These are especially relevant if you’re trying to understand what kind of “house” or support you could access through the organization.

1. Early Childhood Education and Child Care

One of the best-known services at Our House Atlanta is its early childhood education program, which is designed to support both the child and the parent.

Typical features include:

  • Full-day child care for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children
  • A structured early learning curriculum to support school readiness
  • Support for children who have experienced stress or disruption due to homelessness or unstable housing
  • Care schedules that allow parents to work, search for housing, or attend training

This is especially important in Atlanta, where access to affordable child care can be a major barrier to employment and housing stability.

2. Family Housing and Shelter Support

Our House is often associated with transitional or emergency housing for families, although details can vary based on funding and partnerships at any given time.

Depending on current programs and capacity, services may include:

  • Short-term shelter for families experiencing homelessness
  • Transitional housing or connections to longer-term housing programs
  • Supportive case management to help families plan for permanent housing
  • Assistance navigating housing applications, waitlists, and documentation

If you call or visit Our House, you can ask specifically about:

  • “Do you currently have housing or shelter programs for families?”
  • “How does intake work, and what should I bring?”

Even if they do not have an open bed or unit, staff can often refer you to partner shelters or coordinated entry systems in Atlanta.

3. Parent Support and Case Management

Our House does more than provide a place to stay or child care. A key part of the model is helping parents work toward long-term stability, which can involve:

  • One-on-one case management
  • Support setting goals around:
    • Housing
    • Employment and income
    • Education or training
    • Health and family stability
  • Referrals to community resources (for example, food assistance, health clinics, counseling, or legal help)

In Atlanta’s complex housing and social services landscape, having a case manager can make it easier to stay on top of:

  • Deadlines for housing applications
  • Required documents like IDs, birth certificates, income verification
  • Appointments with other agencies and service providers

4. Job Readiness and Economic Support

Many families who connect with Our House are working or ready to work, but face obstacles such as:

  • Lack of reliable child care
  • Gaps in employment history
  • Transportation challenges in metro Atlanta
  • Limited access to training or certifications

Our House typically provides or connects parents to:

  • Job readiness support (resumes, applications, interview preparation)
  • Information about training programs in the Atlanta area
  • Help coordinating child care so parents can attend interviews or classes
  • Referrals to resources that may reduce some immediate financial strain (for example, food assistance, clothing closets, or utility help via partner agencies)

Where Our House Fits in Atlanta’s Housing and Shelter System

Understanding how Our House Atlanta fits into the bigger picture can help you or someone you’re supporting plan next steps more effectively.

Part of a Network of Family-Focused Support

Our House is one of several Atlanta-area organizations focused on families experiencing homelessness, alongside others that may provide:

  • Emergency shelter
  • Rapid rehousing
  • Permanent supportive housing
  • Domestic violence shelter and support

In many cases, these organizations share information, coordinate referrals, and participate in coordinated entry systems managed by local government and partner agencies.

Not a Walk-In Emergency Shelter for Everyone

It’s important to know that:

  • Our House typically is not a general walk-in overnight shelter for any adult in need.
  • Admission often requires intake, eligibility screening, and space availability, especially for housing or shelter programs.
  • It focuses on families with children, particularly younger children.

If you or someone you know needs immediate overnight shelter in Atlanta and is not a fit for Our House (for example, single adult, no children), you can:

  • Call United Way 2-1-1 (dial 2-1-1 from most phones in metro Atlanta) for real-time shelter and service options.
  • Contact Gateway Center (275 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, phone 404-215-6600) for adult-focused services and shelter connections.
  • Contact Atlanta Mission (several locations) or other major providers if seeking shelter, especially for men or women without children.

For families with children, 2-1-1 can still be a good starting point if Our House does not have space, as they may refer you to:

  • Other family shelters
  • Domestic violence shelters (if safety is a concern)
  • Rapid rehousing or prevention programs

How to Contact Our House Atlanta

Information can change over time, so it’s always best to call ahead before visiting in person.

As of the most recent publicly available information, Our House’s main administrative office is located in the City of Atlanta. When you contact them, you can ask:

  • Whether they are currently:
    • Accepting new families for any housing or shelter program
    • Enrolling children in early childhood education
    • Offering parent support or job-related services
  • What documents you should bring (such as ID, proof of income, child’s birth certificate)
  • How their intake and waiting list process works

If you cannot find a current phone number or address, you can:

  • Call 2-1-1 and ask specifically about “Our House Atlanta” and how to reach them.
  • Visit the City of Atlanta or Fulton County information lines and ask for family homelessness resources or referrals to Our House.

What to Expect if You’re Seeking Help from Our House

While each family’s experience is unique, many people in Atlanta report similar steps when engaging with an organization like Our House.

1. Initial Contact

You may start by:

  • Calling the main phone number
  • Being referred by another shelter, clinic, or agency
  • Being connected through a coordinated entry or family services system

During initial contact, expect to answer questions like:

  • How many people are in your household and their ages
  • Where you slept last night (shelter, car, friend’s house, outdoors, etc.)
  • Your current income or benefits situation
  • Urgent needs (safety, medical, child care, etc.)

2. Intake and Eligibility Screening

If there is potential space or an open program:

  • Staff may schedule an intake appointment
  • You may be asked to bring:
    • Identification for you and your children (if available)
    • Any documentation of income, benefits, or housing situation
  • A case manager or intake worker will explain:
    • Program rules
    • Length of stay (if it’s a shelter or housing program)
    • Services available to your family

If there is no current space, staff may:

  • Add you to a waiting list (depending on their policies)
  • Connect you to other shelters or housing programs in Atlanta
  • Provide information about child care or support services that could still be helpful

3. Services and Daily Life in the Program

If you are accepted into a program at Our House, daily life may involve:

  • Children attending early childhood education classes or child care during the day
  • Parents:
    • Meeting with case managers
    • Searching for jobs or housing
    • Attending workshops or classes
  • Following basic program guidelines around:
    • Curfews or check-in/check-out times
    • Respectful behavior and shared spaces
    • Safety and security procedures

For many families, the combination of safe shelter, child care, and structured support can create the breathing room needed to make longer-term plans.

Tips for Atlanta Families Considering Our House

If you are in or near Atlanta and exploring Our House as an option, these practical steps can make the process smoother:

  • Call early in the day. Housing and shelter intake calls can be very busy; calling in the morning can sometimes help you connect more quickly.
  • Have key information ready. Write down:
    • Names and birthdates of all household members
    • Any current income sources
    • Where your family has been staying recently
  • Ask about all available programs. Even if housing is full, ask:
    • “Are there any child care or early education openings?”
    • “Can I get help with job readiness or referrals while I seek housing elsewhere?”
  • Stay connected to other resources. Use:
    • 2-1-1 for up-to-date Atlanta-area resources
    • Local DFCS or Department of Community Affairs offices for benefits or housing programs
  • Document important details. Keep a notebook or notes on your phone recording:
    • Names of staff you speak with
    • Dates and times of calls
    • Any instructions or next steps

Other Atlanta Resources That Often Connect with Our House

While Our House is a key family-focused resource, many families also interact with other agencies and services in metro Atlanta. These may include:

  • United Way of Greater Atlanta – 2-1-1
    Dial 2-1-1 for information on:

    • Shelter openings
    • Food pantries
    • Utility assistance
    • Youth and family services

  • Fulton County and DeKalb County DFCS Offices
    For:

    • SNAP (food assistance)
    • TANF (cash assistance)
    • Medicaid and related benefits

  • Atlanta Public Schools & Early Learning Programs
    For:

    • Public pre-K options
    • Support for students experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act

  • Local Health Clinics (such as Fulton County Board of Health locations)
    For:

    • Immunizations
    • Pediatric care
    • Women’s health and prenatal services

Our House often works in coordination with these systems, so having your benefits and school enrollment in order can make it easier to stabilize your family’s situation.

Is Our House Atlanta Right for You or Your Family?

Our House may be a strong option to explore if:

  • You are in the Atlanta area
  • You are a parent or guardian with young children
  • You are experiencing homelessness or serious housing instability
  • You need child care to work, look for housing, or attend classes
  • You want structured support to work toward long-term stability

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, calling and describing your situation is often the best first step. Staff can explain their current programs, eligibility, and other resources that may better fit your needs.

For many Atlanta families, Our House is not just a “house,” but a combination of housing support, early education, and practical guidance that helps make a path forward during a difficult time.