As spring begins to blossom, we are once again reminded of the relentless passage of time. Every year, we find ourselves uttering those familiar words: “time flies.” With each passing moment, it becomes increasingly apparent that time is a precious and finite resource. And in the world of homelessness, the significance of time is magnified.  

More than just housing

For those facing homelessness and addiction, their time may be filled with challenges of survival. They don’t have enough time to adequately heal and make lasting change in their lives. For the last few decades, the official policy in the U.S. regarding homelessness has been a “housing-first” policy. This provides rapid re-housing for people experiencing homelessness. While it is critical that we provide housing for those seeking shelter, we recognize that we need more than just housing. Homelessness has actually increased by 11% nationwide.  

“The problem is that people become homeless for a variety of reasons, and putting them into an apartment just moves their homelessness inside,” says Mary Theroux, CEO of the Independent Institute. “They’re still culturally homeless, they still have the same issues they had when they were living on the street, except now they’re isolated inside, and they die at higher rates, actually, once they’re housed.” What people struggling with homelessness really need, she argues, is a holistic approach that combines housing with social support.  

A multi-pronged approach to healing

According to Isabel McDevitt, co-founder of Work Works America, in addition to housing, we need a multi-pronged approach to end homelessness. “What a lot of people don’t necessarily understand is the complexity of how people end up experiencing homelessness,” she says. “What I would hope is that we can have more of an open conversation about new, custom approaches to match the diversity of people in need. We haven’t yet solved homelessness, so let’s get creative. Policymakers should be looking at creative approaches that integrate people back into the community rather than keeping them separate in ‘homeless housing’ or doubling down on one-size-fits-all approaches.”  

Here at Atlanta Mission, we believe that this multi-pronged approach to healing takes time. In the face of increasing homelessness in our city, we believe that time is a powerful ally. It is the canvas upon which healing and restoration can unfold. It is a process guided by patience, compassion, and a steadfast belief in the beauty that can emerge from even the most challenging circumstances.  

Read more in our 2023 annual report about how clients pass their time in our program. From taking their first courageous step to enter our doors, to Make Progress, to graduation ceremonies at Next Steps, to moving out into a place of their own.  

We could not transform lives and provide hope to these men, women, and children without your support. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of those facing homelessness, helping them find the hope they need to heal and make a lasting change in their lives.