As preparations ramp up for the World Cup in 2024, Atlanta’s nonprofit organization Partners for HOME has unveiled a controversial plan to address homelessness in the city’s downtown area.
The initiative, known as Downtown Rising, aims to relocate and house approximately 400 unsheltered individuals, but it has drawn criticism from advocates who argue that the city is prioritizing appearance over substantial solutions.
Concerns have been raised that the city is acting hastily to clear camps to present a more favorable image during one of the largest sporting events in the world, rather than implementing effective long-term strategies to combat homelessness.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported earlier this week that Partners for HOME, which oversees the city’s homeless response efforts, is set on achieving its goal by the end of this year.
However, critics, including Jesse Rabinowitz from the National Homelessness Law Center, express skepticism about the city’s motivations.
Rabinowitz stated, “It shouldn’t take a major sports event to have them move with urgency to solve homelessness,” emphasizing that the underlying structural issues, notably the housing crisis, need addressing.
He noted that while it is theoretically possible to house individuals within a tight time frame, the broader systemic challenges in Atlanta must not be ignored.
Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for HOME, acknowledged the World Cup as a motivating factor but insisted that the primary focus remains on providing housing solutions.
She clarified that the goals set forth in the plan are flexible and can be adjusted according to the evolving homeless population in the downtown area.
“There is no location zone or encampment that will close until we have the requisite number of housing solutions for every single person in that location,” Vassell stated.
To kickstart this initiative, officials recently broke ground on the first stage of the Atlantica Properties development, which will feature 100 modular apartments.
Future plans include the construction of additional townhomes, some of which will be offered at market rates, underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach to housing.
In a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mayor Andre Dickens framed the effort to tackle homelessness as a crucial goal of his administration.
“I want homelessness to end today,” Dickens declared, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
He elaborated on the ongoing struggles faced by people living on the streets, highlighting that they are vulnerable to harm and face numerous sanitary and mental health challenges.
The Downtown Rising initiative specifically targets the core downtown area, where many camps are situated near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is set to host several World Cup matches.
This focus raises questions about the motives behind the city’s actions, as many advocates believe the initiative may prioritize image over the genuine need for targeted solutions.
Though Downtown Rising is positioned as a critical component of a larger $212 million plan called Atlanta Rising, documents revealed by the AJC suggest that a $50 million funding shortfall may complicate its execution.
In light of this, Partners for HOME has committed to collaborating with both public and private partners to address the financial gap.
As Atlanta prepares for the international spotlight, the tension between the urgency of the Downtown Rising plan and the underlying issues driving homelessness will likely continue to be a focal point of discussion among city leaders, advocates, and residents alike.
While efforts to house individuals in need gain momentum, the broader implications for long-term solutions and the well-being of the community remain to be seen.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/news/2025/06/before-the-world-cup-arrives-atlanta-pushes-to-house-homeless-people/
