DeKalb County officials are working with an Atlanta-based nonprofit, investing more than $1 million to open a first-of-its-kind emergency shelter designed to provide immediate housing for those experiencing homelessness in the area.
Officials made the announcement on Feb. 13, stating that the facility, located at 2582 Gresham Road, will operate as a 90-day emergency shelter with more than 400 beds and is managed by Frontline Response, which works to deliver services to individuals in housing crisis situations.
The shelter is operating using a coordinated, three-phase approach intended to move individuals from crisis to stability, stated officials, including the following steps:
- County outreach teams will engage individuals living in encampments and public spaces, providing food, immediate assistance, and connections to services. The effort also supports coordinated encampment cleanups on public property, emphasizing communication, care, and access to support.
- The new facility will offer safe, temporary housing alongside comprehensive wraparound services, including health and dental care, behavioral and mental health services, substance use support, job readiness training, and access to critical resources needed for stabilization.
- Residents will receive three meals daily, access to showers and laundry facilities, and intensive case management. The 90-day model is designed to help individuals stabilize and prepare for placement into transitional or other long-term housing options, said organizers.
“This shelter is designed to be a bridge, not a destination,” said Alan Ferguson, chief housing officer for DeKalb County. “Our goal is to meet immediate needs while actively working toward permanent solutions.”…