In a pointed demonstration to raise awareness about the critical issues of homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in Atlanta, members of the Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. endured a night outside on Saturday. The clergy members, igniting fires and erecting tents at Liberty International Church and various other churches, sought to simulate the stark realities faced by those without a home. "We’re here because we care," Bishop Greg Fann expressed in an interview with FOX 5, emphasizing the group's commitment to understanding and alleviating homelessness.
The all-night vigil aimed to put the plight of the city's homeless amidst a growing affordable housing crisis into sharp focus. As the president of the clergy group, Reverend Shannon Jones, highlighted, the climbing cost of living has seen individuals and families, once secure in their housing, now struggling to afford basic shelter. "An affordable one-bedroom apartment, the average is $1,400. So, we’re seeing people that are living in their cars and tents," Jones told FOX 5. Roughly 19 clergy groups across Georgia joined the effort, standing united in a call to action for large corporations and the government to address the crisis.
The "Sleep Out" event, formally named "The Night to Sleep Out: Making Room in the Inn at Christmas," drew connections between the current housing situation and the biblical story of Mary and Joseph. As reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rev. Jones said, "The question is if Jesus came to the metro Atlanta area today, would there still be no room for him in the Inn?". The initiative united leaders of multiple faiths, activists, and community members in a tangible act of solidarity with the homeless.
Atlanta's homeless population totaled 2,679 individuals in January 2023—a stark increase from the previous year. The annual Point In Time Count reported 738 people found sleeping on the streets, with an additional 1,941 people taking refuge in shelters during the survey period. In the release obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rev. Jones put forth a challenge, suggesting that if even Mary and Joseph would struggle to find affordable shelter in today's Atlanta, the community must relentlessly pursue solutions for those most acutely feeling the brunt of an unforgiving housing market.
