We need your assistance on two state policy issues that have hearings this week – supporting increased funding for the Georgia Housing Voucher Program and opposing House Bill 295 which proposes to criminalize homelessness.
The House Public Safety Committee meeting heard from ACCG, GMA and Brad Schweers of Intown Cares in opposition to the bill and heard from Cicero Action, the organization seeking to criminalize homelessness across the country, supporting the bill. The hearing on HB 295 will continue on Wednesday, February 19 at 1:00 PM in 506 Coverdell Legislative Office Building.
Please come testify in Room 506 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building (CLOB) on Thursday, February 20 at 3:00 pm during the public comment period to support a $20 Million increase in funding for the Georgia Housing Voucher Program for FY 2026.
In the meantime, please email and call members of the committee. Distribute email alerts. Communications from the committee members’ constituents (including their home addresses in the email) are most effective. Please let Elizabeth Appley know if you plan to come and testify and what you plan to say. You can also come to the capitol on Tuesday or Wednesday morning and talk to Committee members between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
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You can view the sub to the bill here, but the only difference from the “as filed” version is the addition of language on lines 57-58 incorporating the current code section dealing with property tax refunds. Please try to read the bill if you plan to testify.
You can watch the archive of February 13th’s hearing here beginning at 2:11:00.
HB295 provides for property owners and those renting property to be able to demand a refund of property taxes if the city or county adopts a policy as a sanctuary city, or adopts a policy, pattern, or practice of failing to enforce criminal laws against homeless people for public camping, loitering, obstructing thoroughfares, panhandling, public intoxication or urination. The owner can seek annual compensation equal to the expenses they incurred in mitigating the effects of the city’s failure to enforce criminal laws or the reduction in the fair market value of the property that resulted, plus attorney’s fees and costs.
Action Needed:
Please come testify at the House Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday, February 19 at 1:00 pm in Room 506 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building (CLOB) during the public comment period to oppose this bill. There will be a sign-up sheet in the room. You can find a State Capitol map here. If you would like support with your talking points, please contact Elizabeth Appley or Natallie Keiser. Note that committee meeting times can change, so check before attending and please be flexible.
Contact members of the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee to oppose this bill.
HouseATL has been advocating for an increase to the Georgia Housing Voucher Program budget, which provides supportive housing for chronically homeless people with severe mental illness. The Governor’s proposed budget for FY 25 Amended and FY 26 included no increase, despite funding being below pre-pandemic levels, while costs and need have dramatically increased.
Action Needed:
Please come testify in Room 506 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building (CLOB) on Thursday, February 20 at 3:00 pm during the public comment period to support a $20 Million increase in funding for the Georgia Housing Voucher Program for FY 2026. There will be a sign-up sheet in the room. You can find a State Capitol map here. If you would like support with your talking points, please contact Elizabeth Appley or Natallie Keiser. Note that committee meeting times can change, so check before attending and please be flexible.
Please contact the members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources and urge their support for a $20 million increase to the Georgia Housing Voucher Program administered by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
As federal, state, and local policies continue to evolve, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and prepared. To ensure all Atlanta CoC members have access to timely and relevant updates, Partners for HOME is launching a series of monthly virtual calls focused on key policy changes that affect our work. These sessions will provide insights into legislative developments, funding shifts, and administrative actions that directly impact housing and homelessness services in our region.
Our first session will take place on February 25 from 4:00 – 4:45 p.m., and we encourage you to join us.
Click here for the monthly agenda, the full yearly schedule and to register:
This #GivingTuesday, Partners for HOME invites you to join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Since 2016, we’ve partnered with the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Continuum of Care (CoC) to achieve a 30% reduction in homelessness. This milestone is a testament to the power of collaboration and compassion.
