Atlanta Encampment Sweeps: Task Force & Clearing Update

The Atlanta Task Force on Homelessness Response was created in February 2025 following the death of Cornelius Taylor on January 16, 2025. The primary purpose of the task force is to examine the city's current policies and procedures for addressing homelessness and public safety, specifically looking at barriers and gaps in the overall ecosystem. It aims to develop clearer procedures for encampment closures and address challenges such as limited shelter space and service coordination.

The task force, comprised of 36 organizations, presented a preliminary report on its findings. This report indicates that the city's current homelessness strategy "lacks holistic oversight and coordination." It also concluded that current shelter and emergency housing options are inadequate.

The task force recommends a multi-step protocol for clearings:

• Outreach reps and officers visit every structure to ensure vacancy
• Create a sign-off sheet to verify that each structure is empty
• Fire department to use fire thermal sensors to ensure tents are vacant
• Minimize the use of heavy machinery
• Final sign-off by the mayor's office before clearing takes place

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens stated that new safety guidelines were followed during the May 5th encampment clearing (on Pryor Street under I-20, near the Downtown Connector).

The task force's final report was released in June 2025 �� read our breakdown of the changes it delivered.

Sources: The Atlanta Voice, Fox 5 Atlanta, Civic Atlanta