Homeless Migration in Midtown? (Atlanta, Buckhead: apartment complex, crimes, home)

[M3Guy]

Has anyone noticed more homeless people in Midtown? Or is it just me?
I leave for work very early in the morning and I swear it seems like I see more and more homeless people sleeping and walking around in the area every month. I used to live downtown where the homeless population is very dense, but now I am wondering if they are migrating to Midtown. I know there were always a few homeless people here and there in Midtown, but it seems like the numbers are growing.

[Atlanta Scientist]

I haven't noticed a dramatic difference in Midtown. I have noticed a difference in south Buckhead though since the Peachtree-Pine shelter closed.

[ronricks]

They will migrate to areas where people give them stuff. There are several churches in the Midtown area that provide food and clothing weekly. There are a few on Ponce also. I have noticed on the entrance ramp to 85 North in the mornings off Freedom Pkwy there is an increasing number some that stand right in the middle of the street. That area is also now littered with trash.

[UrbanConquistador]

Yes, I have. I've lived in the area of peachtree and 6th for almost a decade (also was a Downtown resident previously) and it's gotten out of control. The past week or so has been a little better, but I'm wondering if that's only because they're filming a big budget flick (Ozark maybe?) down the street at Peachtree & Peachtree place.

[cqholt]

Homelessness is not a problem we can ignore. Instead of turning a blind eye, why don't we do something about it?

[architect77]

Originally Posted by UrbanConquistador

Yes, I have. I've lived in the area of peachtree and 6th for almost a decade (also was a Downtown resident previously) and it's gotten out of control. The past week or so has been a little better, but I'm wondering if that's only because they're filming a big budget flick (Ozark maybe?) down the street at Peachtree & Peachtree place.

I also live near Peachtree and 6th. The QT attracts a lot of people asking for money.

They blatantly shoplift at the QT and I've seen a female clerk go chase them down after they grabbed a handful of sweet rolls and ran out.

Last night there was a woman with a 5 year old boy who stood outside the CVS for hours asking for money.

They sleep in the parking garage of my apartment complex, but I'm fine with that if they're not causing problems.

I do loathe seeing trash on the sidewalks and on the shoulders of roads, so I don't know why they just love to hang out surrounded by trash that they throw onto the ground.

The world if full of probably billions of people though like in India that don't mind looking at mountains of garbage in their cities and waterways.

I don't understand it.

But regarding the homeless in Midtown, they gravitate to areas where they feel safe sleeping outdoors.

Those churches should be teaching them to fish, so they aren't just eating for a day.

[joey86]

Church of the Redeemer has been offering food to the homeless for decades, and the number of people they feed has slowly dropped off from 300+ in the late eighties and early nineties, down to 120-150 about two years ago, and is now at less than 100. As services have become more spread around, so has the homeless population. There probably hasn’t been any actual increase in the numbers of homeless in Midtown recently. Perhaps it’s just that more are having to sleep outside now that Peachtree-Pine has closed.

The QT does act as a gathering point, so there is a noticeable concentration around there, but that doesn’t indicate an increase in homelessness in Midtown as a whole.

[UrbanConquistador]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Homelessness is not a problem we can ignore. Instead of turning a blind eye, why don't we do something about it?

I'm all for it, but what do you suggest for the ones that refuse help and are constantly committing crimes in your neighborhood? I had one pull a knife on me recently right by the QT. He was arrested 50+ plus times prior to that (2 counts of which were rape and 1 count of armed robbery) and he was already on probation. The Fulton county judge looked at his rap sheet and the fact that he was already on probation and still let him off with 12 months of probation for his latest crime.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Homelessness is not a problem we can ignore. Instead of turning a blind eye, why don't we do something about it?

Nothing is stopping you from taking homeless into your home and letting them live with you.

[glovenyc]

Originally Posted by ronricks

Nothing is stopping you from taking homeless into your home and letting them live with you.

(I am not trying to start an argument) Ronricks, honestly what would you suggest we as individuals, and then the City of Atlanta do about the homeless problem. Not trying to antagonize, but I am just curious.