HOMEFIRST

HomeFirst is a partnership between Invest Atlanta and the United Way Regional Commission on Homelessness to create and invest in housing strategies and supportive services that reduce homelessness in the City of Atlanta.

ABOUT

The HomeFirst Atlanta Initiative is a partnership between Invest Atlanta, acting for the City of Atlanta, and the United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Regional Commission on Homelessness (RCOH). In 2016, RCOH secured $15 million in initial private commitments and challenged the City to match dollar for dollar with public funds. HomeFirst became a $50 million public and private partnership, with the City of Atlanta committing $25 million to match private contributions to the initiative. The City’s funds are on deposit with Invest Atlanta and the total funds include private commitments from philanthropic partners such as Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, James M. Cox Foundation, Sarah Giles Moore Foundation, Kendeda Fund, Jesse Parker Williams Foundation, Imlay Foundation, Kallman Family Fund, and GreyStone Power Corporation.

INVESTMENT PROCESS

All investments must be aligned with ClearPath, the City of Atlanta’s 5-year strategic plan to make homelessness in Atlanta rare, brief, and nonrecurring.  Partners for HOME will serve as the lead staff for HomeFirst assisted by the staff of the RCOH.  Investments will be made based on recommendations of the HomeFirst Allocation Committee, which includes two members appointed by RCOH, two members appointed by Invest Atlanta and one member mutually agreed upon by RCOH and Invest Atlanta.

For all projects other than supportive housing projects, Partners for HOME, on behalf of HomeFirst, will prepare and release an RFP that includes funding parameters and expectations set forth by partners or policies outlined in ClearPath.  Responses to RFP solicitation will be reviewed and scored by the appropriate scoring committee and recommendations for funding will be made by PfH to the Allocation Committee.

POLICY OBJECTIVES

  • Permanent Supportive Housing
  • Rapid Rehousing
  • Continuum of Care Infrastructure: Coordinated Entry, and Outreach
  • Housing Subsidy and Services
  • Emergency low barrier shelter
  • Evidence based pilots focused on youth, prevention, and diversion

MEETING PSH GOALS

On behalf of HomeFirst, Partners for HOME and the Atlanta Housing Authority will issue a rolling application related to projects for permanent supportive housing supportive.  HomeFirst funding areas will include capital, operating and program services. The application was developed in conjunction with the Corporation for Supportive Housing; HUD; the Permanent Supportive Housing Pipeline Committee; and reviewed by the Allocation Committee. The application was released in 2018 and will remain open until funds are expended.

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