Fulton County Office of Emergency and Transitional Housing Partners with Community Organizations to Provide Shelter to the Homeless in Severe Weather

County Shelters Have Seen Increase in Clients, Still Have Some Space Available

The Fulton County Office of Emergency and Transitional Housing is reporting today that while they have seen an increase in their number of clients served at the County’s two homeless shelters, they still have some space available for those in need of shelter. However, space is limited.

Jefferson Place is the County’s homeless facility for men and Springdale Place is for displaced women and their children up to age 17. Both facilities are open 24 hours/7 days a week at this time and individuals are not required to leave the facilities during the day due to the weather being below 40 degrees.  On yesterday, Jefferson Place opened up 85 spaces as a part of the County’s overflow policy and today is reporting that half of those spaces have been filled. Springdale Place for women had 9 rooms open and today nearly half of those have been filled as well.

Fulton County is working with several community partners who provide services to the homeless population in metro Atlanta including the City of Atlanta, the Gateway Center, Union Mission, United Way and the Salvation Army. Forty men were transferred from the Gateway Center over to Jefferson Place as part of those coordination efforts with community partners. The County has also been coordinating with other community partners to take additional women and children that are in need of shelter.  In the event that women and children do not fill up the beds available at Springdale Place, the County will consider opening any vacant beds to single women who are in need of shelter.

“Our increase in numbers is certainly reflective of the decrease in the temperatures and the extremely cold weather conditions we are experiencing”, stated Mike Rowicki, Deputy Director of Housing. “The health risks associated with exposure to these conditions make it vital for the County to do its part along with the City and other organizations in ensuring that those seeking shelter will find it.”

The Office of Emergency and Transitional Housing will continue to collaborate with its community partners throughout this severe weather event to coordinate transportation and other needs that may occur in order to provide shelter for Fulton’s homeless citizens.

The Office has committed that citizens in need of shelter will not be turned away if they seek assistance at the County’s Jefferson Place location. Citizens in need of shelter can also call Emergency and Transitional Housing at 404-613-0412.