Atlanta nonprofit leaders are repurposing a historic downtown building to offer housing and support for men facing chronic homelessness.  

Gov. Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined the ribbon-cutting at the 114-year-old Odd Fellows building. The Georgia Works program will use it to offer workforce training, counseling, and housing to about 160 men.  

Dickens has been working to build or preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2030. The city is at 13,000 units now. Dickens said this program provides a path to stability. 

“Georgia Works Village is really a part of that continuum focusing on residents who are working, they’re earning income, and they’re getting themselves ready,” he said. “You guys are helping them be able to get their lives together, clean up whatever needs to be cleaned up so they can move forward in this city and do outstanding things.” 

Dickens thanked state partners for funding affordable housing as well. Kemp recently approved $50 million in the state budget for programs addressing chronic homelessness. 

Kemp said he’s been working with city leaders on shared goals like addressing homelessness and public safety. He said that’s particularly important ahead of the World Cup. 

“We have to continue to have that approach to ensure that we put our best foot forward and leave people with a reason to keep George on their minds, while still helping our citizens be a part of all the prosperity that we’ve been fortunate enough to see in the capital city and in our state,” Kemp said.  

Participants in Georgia Works commit to sobriety and employment during the yearlong program. Founder Bill McGahan said they’re trying to help people become productive citizens. 

“Our goal always is to put ourselves out of business,” McGahan said. “We hope one day that there’s nobody that walks into our building and that we don’t have to help people get off the streets and into a job. So, unlike perhaps other programs who measure themselves and how many services they’re provided, we’re hoping that one day we don’t have to provide any.”

Over 1,200 men have completed the Georgia Works program since 2013. Sean Patton is a participant in the program now. He said it’s a really great way to help people reintegrate back into society. 

“I’m very happy that I came into here,” Patton said. “You know, I was outside on the streets for about two weeks, and I realized I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t do that anymore, you know? So I needed to get into here.”

The building includes affordable housing for recent graduates starting at $500 a month.