Despite having bridged the $2.1 million homelessness funding gap from mid-Jan. 2026, Fulton County’s inconsistency with proper funding for homeless services affects the homeless youth population’s safety and mental health.
As stated by the nonprofit Partners for HOME, Atlanta’s HomeFirst initiative is a $50 million partnership between the City of Atlanta, the United Way of Greater Atlanta, and Partners for HOME. The initiative aims to help transition vulnerable populations into stable living spaces to ensure their security. As part of this initiative, Fulton County pledged to provide $4.8 million annually for 30 years to fund mental health and housing services for Atlanta’s homeless population.
However, as of 2026, Fulton County Officials omitted $2 million from the $4.8 million budget. GPB News quoted Mayor Andre Dickens, expressing his disapproval of Fulton County’s lack of funding.
Mayor Dickens emphasized, “Health and Human Services is a requirement of the county government, so we are standing here today saying: Do what you say you’re gonna do… And for the next 30 years, you’re supposed to put up at a minimum $4.8 million. You can’t walk back from that.”
Numerous advocates, nonprofits, and Atlanta officials heavily criticized Fulton County, pushing the county to restore the budget by $2.1 million. Nonprofit organizations, such as Partners for HOME, strongly urged Fulton County to restore funding to address the funding gap. Cathryn Vassell, the CEO of Partners for HOME, underscored that more than 500 homes could be impacted if Fulton County does not restore the $2.1 million funding gap.
Bidemi Aminashaw, the project manager of youth at Partners for HOME, states, “[The funding gap issue] was definitely a very stressful time for the system. We definitely had to pause and think through what it could possibly, and kind of start thinking about contingency plans as well if it did happen.” Aminashaw shared that uncertainty around Fulton County’s funding caused instability within the nonprofit, underscoring how crucial consistent financial support is to maintaining services for vulnerable youth.
“I think it was a little tasty taste of what is happening at the much larger federal level, where we now have a lot more critical eyes in terms of ‘who can we serve?’” says Aminashaw. Funding decisions are becoming increasingly restrictive, causing organizations to narrow their eligibility criteria and prioritize some groups over others. Consequently, many young people may be left without access to essential services due to limited resources.
While Fulton County eventually voted to secure the funding, the event highlights a larger issue that affects all homeless individuals in Atlanta, particularly the youth population.
Covenant House Georgia, a homeless shelter in Atlanta, states that over 3,300 youth in the Atlanta area face homelessness. Furthermore, a 2024 study by Partners for HOME provides a breakdown of the age groups experiencing homelessness in Atlanta, along with trends and more. They noted that ever since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of homelessness in Atlanta has been increasing.
Beyond statistics of the homeless youth population, the challenges posed upon them surface deeper issues regarding mental health and safety. Findings from “The psychological impact of childhood homelessness—a literature review,” published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science, states that “children from multigenerational homelessness had increased exposure to additional sexual and physical violence and drug use as a result of resorting to begging on streets” (D’Sa, et.al, 2020). Furthermore, in Atlanta, 49% of the youth have been sexually exploited.
According to “Addressing Intersecting Social and Mental Health Needs among Transition-Aged Homeless Youths: A Review of the Literature,” published in the National Library of Medicine, “In a large study of homeless youths from several major cities in the United States, 57% of the 146 participants experienced a traumatic event, and 24% met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD (26)” (Winiarski et al., 2021). Most youth experience trauma from sexual abuse, exploitation, and physical abuse.
As the youth are in the most vulnerable age group, these traumatic experiences significantly impact their emotional development, mental health, and ability to form relationships. Many often struggle with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse as a coping mechanism. When there is a lack of consistent support systems, stable living conditions, and mental health care, these youths face a harder time transitioning into adulthood.
The more funding for homelessness is secured, the better the chances these youths have of receiving support and building a path toward a healthier, more independent future. Increased funding provides more room for organizations to expand their mental health services and outreach programs, ensuring the safety of most youth. Over time, consistent funding for homelessness can help create a more stable and safer community for future generations of Atlanta’s youth.
Fulton County’s $4.8 million budget is more than just numbers on a page; it is a promise to support the vulnerable community in their city. When funding for homelessness is uncertain, so are the futures of the youth experiencing it.
