Albany-Dougherty Coalition to End Homelessness

Some are people suffering from mental illness and other chronic disabilities who have become an ongoing presence in our city centers, parks and open spaces. Others are not so visible, but still in need of assistance — disadvantaged youth discharged from the foster care system with nowhere to go; single mothers with children, recently divorced or fleeing a situation of domestic violence; and low income single adults and families without savings to help them weather an unexpected job loss, illness or eviction.

The Albany Metropolitan Area has struggled with poverty for such a long time that we face high incidences of “generational poverty,” which is much more difficult to reduce as it results in a multitude of behaviors that can become habitual. Educational outreach efforts, increased educational opportunities, incremental empowerment and opportunities to acquire and retain assets have shown to have the greatest positive success rate at reducing generational poverty and in turn reducing homelessness.

The Albany-Dougherty Coalition to End Homelessness is a collaboration of organizations and advocates dedicated to ending homelessness and increasing the supply of sustainable and affordable housing. David Blackwell currently serves as Chairman.

History

Members of the original coalition (Task Force on Homelessness) were appointed by the City Commission in February 1997 and consisted of 28 members. In September 1998 the Coalition requested the City Commission to approve changing the name of the group from the Task Force on Homelessness to the Albany-Dougherty Coalition to End Homelessness. This action was approved, and in 1999 the Coalition made recommendations to the City Commission for appointments and the Commission accepted those recommendations. The Coalition is made up of organizations and persons who work with, or are otherwise involved and/or are interested in, the issues associated with homelessness and being at-risk of homelessness.

Local Providers

• Mission Change
• A Place for Hope
• Salvation Army
• Liberty House

Contact Information

Ciceli Brown
Community Services Specialist
229-483-7650
cibrown@albany.ga.us