Rapid Re-Housing
Initiative Summary (PDF)
Rapid Re-housing is a nationally recognized best practice for addressing episodic homelessness, which is primarily the result of economic hardship (e.g., job loss, emergency medical expenses). Rapid re-housing programs provide individuals and families with immediate, short-term assistance to help them exit homelessness.
Appropriate candidates for Rapid-rehousing:
- Are employed or employable
- Have a limited criminal history
- Have fair rental history
- Have fair credit history
- Have no significant barriers (e.g., chronic mental health conditions) to stable housing except financial
According to the last Atlanta Tri-Jurisdictional Point-in-Time count, in 2011 there were approximately 365 homeless family households (1,073 individuals) in Metro Atlanta who could benefit from rapid re-housing services.
Through Unsheltered No More, the Mayor’s Office is working with community partners to secure the resources and streamline a process to rapidly re-house 200 households experiencing episodic homelessness.
We are also working with community partners to secure commitments from employers to hire 100 heads-of-households. Losing a job is the most cited cause for homelessness and is the critical requirement for obtaining a permanent lease in stable private housing.
Strategies
- Rapid Re-Housing: Provide immediate and short term assistance to stably re-house homeless households at a fraction of the cost of shelter or transitional housing
- Targeted Recruitment: Use a research and evidence-based profile to identify appropriate candidates for rapid re-housing
- Job Development: Recruit employment opportunities through membership of faith communities
- Leveraging Mainstream Housing: Engage directly with the housing industry for market-based solutions to affordable housing challenges
Partner Organizations
- Atlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency
- Atlanta First Step Staffing, Inc.
- Buckhead Christian Ministry
- First Presbyterian Church
- Project Community Connections, Inc.
