Business
Jeff Smythe, CEO of HOPE Atlanta, joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss community outreach and the mission to end hunger and homelessness in Georgia. Smythe joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the All About Real Estate segment. A metro Atlanta organization focused on people experiencing homelessness and hunger, HOPE Atlanta has a mission is to help Georgians avoid homelessness and hunger through a comprehensive approach that equips them with the tools for lifelong stability. The vision is to end housing and food insecurity for every Georgian. “We do see it as our purpose to end homelessness, to end hunger and to prevent those on the edge from falling into a place where they are food insecure,” said Smythe when discussing the organization’s purpose. Through housing interventions, street outreach and hunger relief, the organization engages with homeless individuals to seek shelter. Trained case managers work on housing plans with individuals to get them off the street. Their job is to engage and invite those experiencing homelessness to work on a housing plan, and for some, that process is quicker than others. Smythe expanded by saying, “That’s our job. To help them, to accompany them and support them as they emerge from homelessness into housing.” Housing and case management teams focus on specific areas geographically in 31 counties across the state. Since the start of the pandemic, the Veteran’s case management teams have rehoused over 1,000 Veterans. They also have units focusing on individuals living with HIV. Hunger relief teams are active in the community and churches distributing food as well as working with individuals who come to the community kitchens or pantries seeking relief. Countless operations occur daily to help those experiencing homelessness and hunger achieve self-sustainability. While many think of stereotypes when referencing people dealing with home and food insecurity, the reality is more than 75% of those experiencing homelessness are not chronically homeless. The number represents anyone who has lost a job, undergone the effects of a pandemic or countless other reasons. A large percentage of homeless people are employed, and many are fragilely and episodically homeless. HOPE Atlanta partners with them to reach self-sustainability and secure permanent housing. The main goal is to prevent families from returning to homelessness after partnering with them. By starting with a large amount of support and stair-stepping down, permanent housing is more likely to be achieved for those chronically homeless. One out of every six children in Georgia is food insecure. When the number narrows to those in temporary housing, it increases to one out of four children. Food insecurity affects so many aspects of a child’s life -- mental health, education and healthcare – to name a few. This creates many challenges a large percentage of the nation faces. The acronym HOPE stands for specific interventions the organization conducts. H stands for hunger relief and housing. The housing team seeks areas for potential rapid rehousing to get a family off the streets and self-sustainable. The hunger relief program is very prominent in Rome and Dalton. The programs are crucial for people to receive necessary, required nutrients. Food insecurity creates a domino of health effects that remains with a person throughout their life. Since the start of the pandemic, HOPE Atlanta teams have distributed over two million meals across north Georgia. The O represents outreach programs and ensuring the case management teams are seeking out individuals to help. The P embodies the prevention work they conduct, which is especially important during the pandemic. Working with government partners ensures those experiencing evictions or loss of assistance are receiving preventive dollars. The E stands for emergency services implemented during cases such as the current pandemic.