Two recent studies aimed at quantifying the problem arrived at differing conclusions. Data from the city of Atlanta found 3,217 homeless individuals, including 187 between the ages of 18 and 24 during its annual count. A Georgia State University study found more than 3,300 homeless people 25 and younger. That study included area counties, not just the city of Atlanta.
Child
Under 18 Youth – Age 18-24 Unaccompanied Youth – persons under age 25 who are not presenting or sleeping in the same place as their parent or legal guardian and are not a parent presenting with or sleeping in the same place as their own child(ren).
Parenting Youth
youth who identify as the parent or legal guardian of one or more children who are present with or sleeping in the same place as that youth parent, where there is no person over age 24 in the household.
Family
a parent (s) with at least one minor child Household – one person or multiple people identifying together
not exclusively male or female
Chronically Homeless
either a homeless individual with a disabling condition who has been continuously homeless for a year or more or an individual with a disabling condition who has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years that add up cumulatively to at least one year of homelessness. Youth and veteran data are sub-sets of the total populations throughout this report
In a typical summer month in the Atlanta metro,it is estimated that there are approximately 3,374 homeless and runaway youth living on the streets, in shelters, or in other precarious housing situations. This estimate is derived from several different statistical calculations, ranging from 1,516 to 3,833 and based on field research studies conducted in portions of Fulton, Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties and multiple municipalities.
Homeless youth in the survey reported experiencing significant life traumas, including: exposure to neighborhood violence (78.4%), being robbed or having something stolen (60.5%), witnessing a parent going to jail or prison (50.7%), experiencing abuse as a child (42.2%), or been involved with the foster care (26.8%) or child welfare systems (19.2%).
It’s shocking to see the numbers in print. That’s why, at Angel’s NPACT, we’re doing all we can to put an end to homelessness for young adults in our area. With your help, we’re tackling this heartbreaking problem head-on.
In Atlanta, 2,000 People Sleep on the Streets at Night
You probably don’t see them. They seek shelter under bridges and inside abandoned buildings — anywhere they can feel safe enough to fall asleep. They’re America’s “hidden homeless,” and they’re not in this situation by choice.
