Fulton County chair says homelessness services funding remains after budget review raises public concern

Dispute centers on county’s role in funding supportive services tied to housing developments

Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts said the county does not plan to withdraw funding designated for homelessness-related services, responding to public concerns that the county might reduce or remove money tied to ongoing housing initiatives in Atlanta.

The debate has focused on county support for wraparound services—such as job training and mental health support—that are often paired with housing placements for people who have experienced prolonged homelessness. In public comments reported in recent days, Pitts said the funding would remain in the county’s budget, while also describing broader fiscal pressures and competing spending demands facing county government.

A three-party framework tied to housing development timelines

The initiative at the center of the dispute has been described as a three-way partnership involving the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and Partners for HOME, the nonprofit that leads Atlanta’s homelessness response strategy. The model ties housing development plans to a package of supportive services intended to stabilize residents after placement.

Partners for HOME has warned that if county funding for services were interrupted, planned housing units could stall because supportive services are commonly required to make permanent supportive housing viable. Public statements have described project timelines that include approximately 200 units planned in the near term and more than 500 units targeted by 2027, contingent on sustained funding commitments.

Budget pressures and competing priorities

Pitts has cited mounting demands on the county budget as commissioners evaluate spending requests. Among the pressures referenced publicly are capital and operational needs connected to jail improvements, a proposed hospital project in South Fulton, and potential repayment obligations connected to litigation and other county liabilities. The discussions have unfolded as county leaders have emphasized an interest in avoiding property tax increases while meeting public safety, health, and service-delivery needs.

How homelessness funding fits into a wider mix of local, state, and federal dollars

Homelessness services in Fulton County and the City of Atlanta are funded through a patchwork of revenue sources that can include county general funds, city appropriations, philanthropic contributions, and federal grants. Separate from local budget debates, federal homelessness funding is awarded through competitive programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, including Continuum of Care grants and targeted initiatives such as youth homelessness system improvements.

• Supportive housing models typically combine housing with services such as behavioral health support, employment assistance, and case management.
• Local budget decisions can affect service continuity even when capital dollars for housing construction are secured from other sources.
• Housing development schedules may be delayed if service funding is uncertain, particularly for permanent supportive housing that relies on coordinated, long-term operating plans.

County leaders have said the disputed homelessness services funding will remain in the budget while broader spending needs continue to be evaluated.

The Fulton County Commission’s final budget actions will determine the scale and timing of appropriations, including whether homelessness service funding is maintained as currently structured and how it aligns with the timeline of housing projects dependent on those services.