Unraveling the Complex Surveillance Tapestry of Homelessness in South and Middle Georgia

Map Counties in McIntosh Trail Community Service Board

Problem(s) Addressed:

This study investigates the multifaceted issue of homelessness in South and Middle Georgia, with a specific focus on the effects of Georgia Senate Bill 62 (SB62), which criminalizes public camping and activities associated with homelessness. It looks at how SB62 makes systemic problems worse by putting law enforcement ahead of support services, leading to more arrests and clearings of encampments, while taking money away from affordable housing, mental health care, and drug and alcohol treatment. The study also looks into the root causes of homelessness, such as the lack of affordable housing, the unstable economy after COVID, and differences in the availability of services in different areas.

Methods:

A mixed-methods approach included:

Participant Observation: 8 hours of documenting demographics, behaviors, and interactions at Atlanta's W.
Semi-Structured Interviews: 8 officials across four regions were interviewed, including local government officials and community workers.

Key Findings:

SB62 Exacerbates Homelessness Through Criminalization: The bill makes it easier to arrest people and clear camps for survival activities like sleeping in public. It also moves people around without giving them a place to live, and it takes money away from support services like mental health care and affordable housing. Local leaders called it a "unfunded mandate" that puts a strain on tight budgets.
Mental Health Crisis & Regional Inequity: Georgia's defunding of mental health facilities has put more work on local governments that are not ready for it. McIntosh Trail Community Service Board acts as a "magnet community," taking in people who are unhoused with mental health needs from nearby counties with inadequate state funding or staff, leading to bed shortages and untreated cases.
Ineffective Law Enforcement Dynamics:
- Policing Inconsistencies: Police presence was frequent but non-interventional during conflicts (like violence, substance use).
- Criminalization Tactics: Historically, jurisdictional displacement of unhoused individuals was possible ("out of sight, out of mind"), but this is no longer possible.
- Contradicting Approaches: Some counties, like Coweta, set up outreach programs, like deputies building relationships in encampments, while others used punitive measures for minor offenses like public bathing or loitering.
Systemic Service Gaps & Resource Shortages: Severe resource scarcity and financial burdens impede effective service provision. Key informants consistently reported a significant lack of resources, particularly beds, funding, manpower and reliance on nonprofits like churches and regional collaborations for aid.