Have you noticed more homelessness in Atlanta lately?

With the COVID-19 crisis and stay-at-home orders, many are seeing more people out on the streets of Atlanta, making it seem like there has been a rise in homelessness. The reality is, it’s less of an increase in homelessness and more about the unseen finally being seen because less people are outside.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we were all rushing around, going from place to place. We had jobs to get to, friends and family to visit, travel plans, and more. There were people experiencing homelessness around us all along – we just didn’t notice them in our busyness. 

There are thousands of men, women, and children facing homelessness in our community every single day. They might be sitting at the bus stop or walking along the road. It’s the mom and child sitting in the park. It’s the man stopped in a car on the side of the road. There are many reasons someone might be facing homelessness, and what home looks like to them can be completely different than what you think it is.

Homelessness does have a face, but it’s likely not the stereotypical face you think of.

Now that everyone is staying in their homes, we notice the people that are still out on the streets. What are they doing there? Why aren’t they inside their home like the rest of us? It’s likely because they don’t have a home. They are facing homelessness. And we are just now noticing them.

Of course, we will likely (and unfortunately) see a rise in homelessness as the COVID-19 crisis continues, but for right now, this is finally shining a true spotlight on what so many individuals experience right in our city every single day. 

As you go about your day in the weeks, months, and even years, to come, remember that homelessness has a face. Remember that those experiencing homelessness are used to being unseen. Remember that what they really need is a friend, a smile, and someone to notice them.