On Aug. 28, the United Way will take over operation of the controversial Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter as the building transitions to its new owner Central Atlanta Progress (CAP). The shelter will continue to serve existing clients under the new operator in the coming months while a partnership of agencies complete the work of assessing and rehousing the approximately 200 residents.
A team consisting of the United Way, Atlanta Police Department and the city’s Ambassador Force will trouble shoot during the transition, according to a briefing held by Councilman Kwanza Hall on Aug. 22.
The shelter, which has operated at the corner of Peachtree and Pine streets in Downtown for 20 years, will stop taking new clients on Aug. 28, but the building won’t close until all of the current clients have been rehoused. That process is expected to take 45 to 60 days.
Volunteers and donations will still be welcomed at the shelter as long as they are done in partnership with an experienced nonprofit. Instead of dropping off food and clothes outside the shelter, the city is encouraging those who want to help to partner with a nonprofit to serve food inside or donate clothing closets. To find a nonprofit, visit www.partnerforhopeatl.com.
Un-permitted or illegal feeding and dumping will not be permitted outside of the Peachtree-Pine shelter. All meals will be served inside the shelter beginning on the evening of the 28th.
The 100,000 square foot former auto-parts warehouse was purchased by Central Atlanta Progress for a reported $9.7 million. The sale was part of a settlement between CAP and the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, which plans to continue its mission to serve the homeless elsewhere.
What will happen to the building is uncertain, according to Hall.