East Point Contributes To 3 Of The Cities That Make Up More Than Half Of Fulton County’s Homeless Count Outside Of Atlanta+ A List Of Resources

The escalating visibility of unsheltered homelessness along the commercial corridors of East Point is no longer a peripheral issue, but the central focus of regional housing advocates.

Data from the Fulton County Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Report reveals that the city—alongside Roswell and Alpharetta—now bears the weight of a deepening suburban crisis. Together, these three municipalities account for a staggering 57.5% of the total unsheltered population in Fulton County outside of the Atlanta city limits.

The surge, which pushed county-wide suburban homelessness up by more than 30%, reflects a harsh economic reality. Local experts point to a volatile combination of skyrocketing grocery and utility prices, an 8.7% decline in county-wide affordable housing stock, and an regional deficit where only 34 affordable rental units exist for every 100 low-income households.

“We are seeing a new demographic on the streets,” said an outreach volunteer at the Zion Hill Community Development Corporation (CDC) on Bayard Street. “Nearly 40% of the individuals we interview report experiencing homelessness for the very first time in their lives. These are people who were working, but simply got priced out of their homes.”

The crisis has turned local transit hubs, including the East Point MARTA station, into informal refuges. In response, regional transit authorities have deployed the MARTA HOPE team, an initiative that embeds case managers directly onto train lines to guide unhoused riders toward shelter beds and legal aid.

Simultaneously, the VA Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC) at Fort McPherson continues to experience heavy morning foot traffic. The facility serves as a vital lifeline for unhoused military veterans in South Fulton, offering walk-in medical evaluations and direct entry into federal housing programs.

With eviction filings remaining high across South Fulton zip codes, community leaders warn that emergency shelters alone cannot solve the systemic bottleneck. Advocates argue that without aggressive municipal investments in permanent affordable housing, neighboring cities like East Point will continue to absorb the spillover of a regional housing market in freefall.

Below is a list of resources and details for those seeking assistance:

• South Fulton Homeless Assessment Center: This is the official intake point for East Point residents. Located nearby at 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, GA 30349, the center provides housing vulnerability assessments, case management, and placement into emergency shelter infrastructure. Walk-ins are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and afternoon appointments run from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. You can reach them at 404-612-0137.
• Zion Hill Community Development Corporation: Located directly inside East Point at 2741 Bayard Street, their Z Point Program operates as a critical localized intervention provider. They offer motel vouchers, rapid rehousing options, and immediate food gift cards. They process requests by phone at 404-766-3141 on the last Monday of each month starting at 10:00 AM (no walk-ins).

Community Resources & Utility Aid

• Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority (FACAA): Operating through the federal Community Services Block Grant, FACAA delivers emergency support, financial counseling, and homeless prevention services to low-income residents across the area. They also manage regional emergency energy aid programs like LIHEAP. Services are handled strictly by appointment at 404-320-0166.
• Help4Homelesss: A community-focused group located at 3675 Marketplace Blvd, East Point, GA 30344, reachable at 470-724-3409. They provide volunteer-driven supportive services and local community resources.
• MARTA HOPE Program: If you or someone you know is unsheltered and seeking refuge within the transit system, MARTA partners with Hope Atlanta to deploy field outreach teams. These teams traverse train cars and transit stations to connect individuals with clothing, medical support, substance counseling, and shelter.