Settlement reached to close Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter – ending more than a decade of discord (Atlanta: how much, neighborhoods)

[LynnHarris1]

After nearly a decade of legal battles between various parties, a settlement has been reached that will lead to the closing of the Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter, according to several sources close to the transaction.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Craig Schwall apparently signed a consent decree on Wednesday, but different parties did not want to discuss the settlement on the record until they had seen the signed agreement..."

Full Story: http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/n...tree-pine.html

[cqholt]

Let's hope those who depended on this for support, find the help they need and are not just tossed out of the streets.

[Zanarkand A East]

I'll be interesting to see 1) where the smaller replacement shelters are located (the stadium neighborhoods are reportedly fighting some being moved there), and 2) how fast the Bedford-Pine area is redeveloped, specifically the SciTrek/Civic Center site. This is huge for downtown, as well as for the homeless population that was being underserved at the shelter. I'd love to see the Atlanta Mission add another center, since they are doing a great job getting the homeless population's needs publicized and addressed.

[JPD]

What are we going to be saying in five years when it's still there?

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Let's hope those who depended on this for support, find the help they need and are not just tossed out of the streets.

If Reed is true to his word, and / or if the next mayor continues the idea, then they should be.

We really need a comprehensive overhaul of our homeless programs. A network of small, generic shelters dispersed across the city, with an overlapping of more specialty shelters for higher-risk groups. All need to be readily accessible by transit, and should be in / near density that allows them to handle many tasks on their own without needing to travel too far. Libraries, grocers, emergency clinics, police stations, etc.

We also need real access to drug rehabilitation, mental healthcare, and physical healthcare. Get those who are trapped by illness, of whatever kind, the treatment they need.

Increased jobs training and education opportunities would be extremely helpful as well, of course, and having counselor staff attached to the shelters would help those having trouble adjusting to their new lives.


I won't pretend to know how much of everything is needed, or in what orders or to what extent, or even what all is already available, but just looking in from the outside it seems like whatever system we're using to try and handle our homeless just isn't working. From the outside it seems as if everything is on its own little island, without nearly enough cross-promotion or truly integrated assistance. I know that we can do better than what we've got now.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by JPD

What are we going to be saying in five years when it's still there?

Did you even read the article? Why do you think it's going to still be there in 5 years?

[cqholt]

Non-pay wall version
Settlement reached to close Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter - ending more than a decade of discord - SaportaReport

Sources said they did not know what would eventually happen to the building, which was one of Atlanta’s oldest automobile dealerships. Preservationists have expressed interest in making sure the building at 477 Peachtree St. is not demolished.

[tikigod311]

Wow, I never thought this day would come! Very happy to hear that reputable and capable organizations are in line to take over as soon as the Task Force is out. I'm not too concerned about a negative effect this will have on the homeless, a capable organization like the United Way will be nothing but better than current management. Prob the only "detriment" to the homeless population is (hopefully) the free for all situation is over.

Even if a homeless shelter stays in place or near by, it certainly won't be as bad as the Task Force shelter. I don't think many people realize that Atlanta Mission homeless shelter is located in the middle of one of the hottest areas of town, right across from The Optimist. You can hardly notice it. That's how a shelter should be run. Not a free for all where drug consumption, sex, and whatever one wants to do in public is tolerated. I understand there are people that struggle with these things, but having a place where it is ok encourages it. That needed to go, it's going to be better for the homeless and the city.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Even if a homeless shelter stays in place or near by, it certainly won't be as bad as the Task Force shelter. I don't think many people realize that Atlanta Mission homeless shelter is located in the middle of one of the hottest areas of town, right across from The Optimist. You can hardly notice it. That's how a shelter should be run. Not a free for all where drug consumption, sex, and whatever one wants to do in public is tolerated. I understand there are people that struggle with these things, but having a place where it is ok encourages it. That needed to go, it's going to be better for the homeless and the city.

Interesting point. I live over on the westside, and frequently travel down that stretch of Howell Mill where the Atlanta Mission is. Never really noticed homeless people milling about. In fact, I'm not even sure I was aware there was an actual shelter there. But, around Peachtree Pine, it's like the campground for Woodstock...a bunch of random homeless people just milling around and hanging on street corners and in parking lots. It's a completely different scene. And it's not a scene that helps Midtown out at all.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by Gulch

Did you even read the article? Why do you think it's going to still be there in 5 years?

Because there are only so many times you can cry wolf before people have to see it to believe it.