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Leon County accepts transitional housing status report; citizen urges Atlanta 'Melody Project' model
Summary
The commission accepted a staff report on transitional housing and heard public comments urging expanded, out-of-the-box approaches such as Atlanta’s Melody Project, which the speaker said received a $5 million city commitment for rapid rehousing. Commissioners asked staff and the Continuum of Care to explore additional options and funding.
The Leon County Board of County Commissioners voted Dec. 10 to accept a county staff status report on transitional housing and invited further study of alternative models after public comment and commissioner discussion.
County staff described transitional housing as a specific category in the homelessness continuum and reviewed programmatic options, providers and gaps in services. The board heard from Karen Woodall, a resident and advocate, who said categorical eligibility leaves people without options and suggested examining innovative models. "The city of Atlanta has committed $5,000,000 to their rapid rehousing program," Woodall said, describing a project she visited as a potential model for exploration.
Commissioners discussed gaps for people who do not meet narrow federal funding categories (for example, young adults who are not veterans, pregnant or previously incarcerated) and noted ongoing work by the Continuum of Care (COC) to apply for federal funding to expand transitional beds. Commissioner O'Keefe highlighted youth transitions out of foster care as a priority for additional transitional housing slots; staff said the COC's NOFO application will target those populations.
After discussion, Commissioner O'Keefe moved to accept the staff report; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Commissioners asked staff and the COC to explore new approaches and return with recommendations that consider safety, cost and zoning issues raised during the meeting.
