As Atlanta gears up for the World Cup, the city’s extensive homeless population has become a focal point of concern. Advocates are apprehensive about potential law enforcement actions aimed at clearing the streets, predicting that many individuals experiencing homelessness may end up incarcerated in the struggling Fulton County Jail.
The nonprofit organization Partners for HOME is spearheading an initiative called “Downtown Rising,” an integral component of a broader $212 million project titled “Atlanta Rising,” aimed at eliminating unsheltered homelessness in the city.
Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized at a summer safety news conference that his administration’s efforts to provide housing have been in motion long before Atlanta was chosen to host World Cup matches.
He expressed disapproval of encampments under bridges, describing them as hazardous and stating that they cannot be accepted.
“Our goal is to ensure that unsheltered individuals do not congregate in downtown Atlanta, not only during the World Cup but now,” he remarked.
When questioned about enforcement strategies, Dickens emphasized that people violating city ordinances would be taken to a pre-arrest diversion center. This center offers treatment and various services for those experiencing homelessness or dealing with substance use and mental health challenges, allowing them to avoid arrest when possible.
“If you break the law, we have measures to deal with that, just like any other lawbreaker,” Dickens stated.
Despite the potential for law enforcement involvement, efforts are geared more towards compassion than criminalization.
Partners for HOME’s Chief Executive, Cathryn Vassell, outlined an ambitious goal of housing 400 individuals sleeping outdoors in downtown Atlanta by the end of 2025, emphasizing the necessity of providing supportive services rather than resorting to arrests.
Atlanta Police Major Jeff Cantin shared this sentiment, expressing that he does not foresee rampant arrests resulting from Downtown Rising, “unless there’s something really egregious.”
“Our aim is not to prosecute individuals for their homelessness,” remarked Cantin, leader of the department’s Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement team, known as HOPE.
However, critics like racial justice advocate Michael Collins have expressed concerns regarding the involvement of organizations like the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District and the Metro Atlanta Chamber in the Downtown Rising strategy.
Collins pointed out that a consortium of downtown business professionals appears to be prioritizing economic success linked to the World Cup, possibly at the expense of the low-income, Black, and brown residents who may face the risk of incarceration in an already overwhelmed jail system.
The U.S. Department of Justice issued an investigative report deeming the conditions in Fulton County Jail as “abhorrent” and “unconstitutional,” highlighting numerous instances of violence and inadequate care.
After the report’s publication, a legally binding consent decree was established between the DOJ and Fulton County in response to these findings.
Marcus Mister, a vice president of the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, stated that the organization introduced an outreach team back in 2020, emphasizing their commitment to guiding homeless individuals toward available services.
In addition to this team, they have established an ambassador force supported by off-duty police officers.
Mister mentioned that their perspective toward individuals experiencing homelessness has evolved to become more compassionate, necessitating retraining for their ambassador personnel.
Nevertheless, Mister conveyed that if homeless individuals resist efforts to eliminate outdoor sleeping in downtown areas, the city will employ existing ordinances to enforce compliance.
Fulton County officials have voiced their concerns about a perceived increase in minor arrests, such as trespassing, rather than utilizing the newly established diversion center aimed at connecting individuals with housing resources.
McBurney stressed the importance of the diversion center, which allows individuals to stay for up to 23 hours, as a means of diverting them from jail.
He cautioned that attempting to relocate a large number of individuals entrenched in their outdoor living situations could trigger emotional and mental health responses, leading some to act out violently, which may result in arrests.
“History suggests that many people may refuse to move,” he noted.
In the city’s first encampment closure as part of the Downtown Rising initiative on Pryor Street under the I-20 overpass last month, 24 individuals declined permanent supportive housing offers, and seven turned down shelter opportunities.
However, a positive outcome was recorded with 49 individuals transitioning into housing, 27 finding shelter, and 74 others being referred for housing assistance.
Some individuals relocated to the Cooper Street area in the nearby Mechanicsville neighborhood, where a previous encampment was dismantled.
Important to note is that no arrests took place during the closure of the Pryor Street encampment.
Vassell indicated that many individuals declining offers of housing face complex challenges, often including severe mental health issues that inhibit their ability to make informed decisions.
Chukey Carter, a 42-year-old who spent months at the Pryor Street camp, recounted arriving in Atlanta unintentionally after missing his destination on a bus.
Carter has since secured an apartment with a one-year lease that covers rent and utilities.
He voiced concerns that many homeless individuals would resist relocation efforts, stating, “I’m going to still stay out here. This is what I know.”
Mandy Chapman Semple, managing partner at Clutch Consulting, collaborating with Partners for HOME on the Downtown Rising initiative, noted that it often takes multiple offers before individuals accept housing and services due to entrenched skepticism.
For individuals who decline help, outreach workers will continue to encourage them to consider shelters.
A map provided by Partners for HOME highlights several outreach zones, including at least ten encampments surrounding Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where eight World Cup matches, including a semifinal, are scheduled for July 15, 2026.
“We will not close a zone until we have enough housing resources available for everyone in that specific area,” Vassell confirmed.
Robb Pitts, chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, expressed optimism about housing 400 individuals, particularly those living near the stadium.
He articulated that providing homes to these individuals would represent an ideal scenario; however, he is also aware that temporary relocation may be necessary.
The pressing question remains: what measures will be implemented after the World Cup concludes if these individuals return to their previous living situations?
image source from：ajc
