Two Atlanta non-profits outline 2026 priorities for vulnerable communities

Two Atlanta non-profits, Hope Atlanta and Partners for Home, highlight rising homelessness and housing needs as key 2026 priorities amid soaring costs

Metro Atlanta Non-Profits Share 2026 Priorities

Two non-profit organizations that support vulnerable populations in metro Atlanta are outlining their priorities for 2026.

Changing Faces of Homelessness

Hope Atlanta reports a shift in the demographics of homelessness. Senior Director of Development Sarah Buckley noted an increase in families seeking assistance due to rising rent and food costs.

Focus on Affordable Housing

Partners for Home is planning to build hundreds of affordable housing units. The organizations emphasize that affordability, housing, and rental assistance are key priorities for the upcoming year.

Rising Rents and Increased Need

“Rents are skyrocketing,” Buckley stated. “There’s a lot of changes that are going on, and it’s really placing some people who are already in a tough spot in even harder positions.”

Housing Units Delivered

Partners for Home CEO Cathryn Vassell mentioned that they delivered about 500 rapid housing units last year, in collaboration with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ office. This year, they plan to deliver just under 350 units.

Support for Disabled Individuals

“Some of the individuals that we support have zero income because they are disabled,” Vassell explained. “They’re going through the disability process with social security, and that can take a couple of years in some cases.”

Increased Calls for Help

Hope Atlanta reported a rise in calls for help, increasing from about 3,000 calls per month to around 15,000 calls per month in 2025.

Funding Challenges

“We’re seeing that increased need, but all of the resources are going down,” Buckley said. “Hope Atlanta does receive some federal funding. Obviously, a little bit of that is going to change, and so where we lack in funding coming from certain sources, we need to make up for that funding elsewhere.”

Upcoming Point-in-Time Count

Partners for Home announced that the point-in-time count is scheduled for January 26. This count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for communities receiving federal funding. It provides insight into the number of people experiencing homelessness on any given night.