Atlanta Rising aims to curb homelessness through multifaceted $212 million initiative

ATLANTA — George Willis walked around his new home at Winnwood in Midtown Atlanta. He’s been living at the apartments for around six months, but it wasn’t long ago that he didn’t have a home. 

He was living spur of the moment in the streets, which he said paled in comparison to spending time with his family and getting his life back on track.

“I decided to get my life together when I met my child,” Willis said. “I have a daughter and a grandbaby. I met them about five years ago and hadn’t seen them in 30 years. I guarantee you anyone who gets a place and is able to sit down for a month and get their thoughts back together, I don’t believe too many people would go back to the streets if they’re sincere about what they’re doing.”

Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for Home, said the organization and Atlanta city partners are spending $212 million to tackle homelessness through the rapid housing initiative and permanent supportive housing. The Atlanta Rising effort, launched a year ago, is built on evidence-based, housing-first principles and depends on collaboration among city officials, nonprofits, service providers, and people who have experienced homelessness. 

“Our job is to create and execute the strategy to reduce homelessness in the city,” Vassell said. “At any given time, the city of Atlanta has about 3,000 people who are experiencing homelessness, either in shelters, transitional housing or sleeping on our streets.”

Vassell expects hundreds of new homes to come online over the next year, as the city tries to build or redevelop affordable homes. The first phase of Atlanta Rising is focused on Downtown Atlanta, where as many as 400 people are unsheltered. The area is getting set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and so Partners for Home is focusing efforts and allocating more than $7 million on dedicated street outreach and encampment closures ahead of the big event.

Around $10 million will be spent on prevention and diversion, which includes temporary financial assistance and legal support. The goal is to prevent 1,600 new families from entering homelessness over a two-year span. 

A $57.5 million investment will go toward holistic programming services, which will entail more affordable housing with specialized medical and mental health services over the next three to five years. Finally, $137.5 million will be spent on housing infrastructure. This includes 500 new rapid housing units that opened at the end of 2025.

Typically, residents need access to a birth certificate, social security card and proper ID to gain access to these homes and services. The homes cost residents 30% of their income, and staff make exceptions for people actively looking for work while also trying to look for a job or access other financial benefits.

For George Willis, even just a little time watching Westerns on television helps him appreciate where he’s been and where he’s going.

“Words really can’t explain it, especially when you’ve lived out there for so long,” Willis said. “Any time you somebody offers you some help like that, you get another chance in life.”