Addressing Homelessness
We believe that a livable, vibrant, and economically robust Downtown must reflect our shared values, which means we take an active role in social issues and support our Downtown service organizations that provide for those in need.
Our priorities include:
Social Impact Director Position
With an overall goal of championing inclusive city building, the Social Impact Director focuses on leading and convening stakeholders to understand and promote solution-focused strategies that address key quality of life issues, including helping to launch innovative initiatives and investing in programs with proven results.
By actively engaging in social issues equally affecting our Downtown stakeholders and those in need, the Social Impact Director is instrumental in supporting social service organizations working in Downtown to strategically address challenges related to homelessness, poverty, equity, diversity, and inclusion. If you are interested in becoming a part of social and civic initiatives impacting vulnerable populations, as well as ways to advance our vibrant and inclusive communities Downtown, please contact Tammy Hughes at thughes@atlantadowntown.com or (404) 522-5010.
2021 Community Resource Card
We have created a Community Resource Card as a tool to assist persons in need of shelter and food resources. It can also be utilized as a helpful guide to contacts for safety, cleanliness, and other Downtown resources. The card is a tangible resource of homeless services, providers, and public safety information that can be downloaded or requested from us as needed. Please keep the Community Resource Card as a reference and stay tuned for opportunities to learn, to participate in conversations, and to join the collective effort to support the most vulnerable among us with dignity and respect.
2021 Focal Initiative: Addressing Homelessness Through Outreach
In September 2020, ADID launched a Social Impact Safety Team (A.S.I.S.T.) pilot program. This effort was deployed as a mobile response unit to build capacity in the homeless service system on a short-term basis while community providers and their outreach teams worked to resume uninterrupted service delivery to those experiencing homelessness on the streets of Downtown.
In 2021, the socially responsible stakeholders who make up our Downtown business community continue to be concerned about the observed perception of homelessness on our Downtown streets. As such, ADID maintains its investment in both people and property using an impactful approach to addressing homelessness through the innovative A.S.I.S.T. homeless outreach initiative.
A.S.I.S.T. aims to provide a timely response to non-criminal, non-emergency quality of life, business nuisance, public disturbance, substance use, or mental health concerns in Downtown Atlanta with Social Workers and Community Outreach Workers trained in de-escalation and crisis management with a network of connections to shelters, as well as treatment facilities, and care providers.