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More than 400 people once living on the streets now have safe housing through Downtown Rising, a milestone in Atlanta’s fight against homelessness
Atlanta has hit a major milestone in the fight against unsheltered homelessness. More than 400 people who were once living on the streets downtown now have safe, permanent housing thanks to Downtown Rising, the first phase of the city’s $235 million Atlanta Rising initiative.
Launched in 2025, Atlanta Rising aims to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring across the city. Downtown Rising specifically set out to house the more than 400 individuals living unsheltered downtown, and that goal has now been achieved.
“This milestone represents lives stabilized and hope restored,” said Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for HOME, the organization coordinating the effort. “Downtown Rising proves that when a city aligns around solutions that pair permanent supportive housing with outreach and wraparound services, people can move from the street into lasting stability. We’re not just reducing homelessness downtown; we’re demonstrating a model that can scale across Atlanta.”
Inside Waterworks Village, one of the new housing sites, residents are feeling the difference every day. Jordan Barron, who once lived on the streets, now has his own apartment. “I can cook when I want to, leave when I want to, I have a door to shut behind me to feel safe,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it’s perfect, because nothing is perfect, but at the same time, it’s getting better.”
His apartment is part of a broader effort led by Partners for HOME and the city, working alongside more than 170 partner organizations. The initiative connects people experiencing homelessness with permanent housing and a full spectrum of support services, including medical care, mental health support and case management, to help ensure long-term stability.
“This housing is designed for permanent supportive housing, meaning it’s for people who are the most vulnerable in our community,” Vassell explained. “These are folks who are chronically homeless with some complicating conditions. It’s an evidence-based approach with results here locally and across the country.”
The milestone is already making a visible difference downtown. Public spaces are cleaner and safer, and both residents and businesses are noticing the change. AJ Robinson, president of Downtown Atlanta Inc., said, “There’s more work to do, but we’re making headway. People are connected to housing and support, and that transformation strengthens our community and economy.”
Outreach efforts continue across the city, particularly in areas where encampments once existed. Downtown Rising is building targeted capacity to engage people still living outside and connect them with housing and resources. About 96% of people placed in permanent supportive housing remain stably housed. For the individuals themselves, that statistic isn’t just a number. It is a door that closes, a safe place to sleep and a chance to move forward.
With 65% of the $235 million needed already raised, Partners for HOME and the city plan to expand the Downtown Rising model citywide. The next phase will increase supportive housing, strengthen rapid rehousing efforts, deepen healthcare partnerships and expand prevention programs to keep families in their homes before they become homeless.
This milestone shows what’s possible when the community invests in evidence-based solutions. Downtown Rising isn’t just about moving people off the streets. It’s about giving them the tools, resources and stability to build a future. To learn more or support Atlanta Rising, visit www.AtlantaRising.org.
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