Project HEAL: Connecting Healthcare and Housing in Metro Atlanta

Leaving the hospital usually means going home to recover. But for someone experiencing homelessness, there may not be a safe place to go.

Project HEAL, which stands for Homeless Empowerment through Accessible Living, helps people experiencing homelessness move from hospital care into a shelter or housing while connecting those with more complex needs to continued medical and mental health support.

What Does Project HEAL Do?

One of Project HEAL's main services is its Hospital Housing Navigator Program. The program helps hospital social workers and care coordination teams understand available housing and shelter options across the Atlanta area so they can find an appropriate place for patients who are ready to leave the hospital.

Project HEAL also supports people who have experienced homelessness and have chronic or complex health needs. Its supportive housing work connects residents with medical, mental health, and other services intended to help them stay healthy after leaving the hospital.

The idea is this, being discharged from the hospital does not mean someone is ready to recover on the street.

How Do You Connect With Project HEAL?

Project HEAL works through participating Atlanta area hospitals rather than through a public application that individuals complete themselves.

If you or someone you are helping is experiencing homelessness while receiving hospital care, ask to speak with the hospital's social worker or care coordination team and ask whether Project HEAL may be available. Project HEAL's Housing Navigator works with those hospital teams and Atlanta area shelters to identify available housing options for patients.

Project HEAL does not currently appear to have a standalone public website or public direct intake form. This is also important when searching online because there are other unrelated organizations using the name "Project HEAL."

Learn More

Because Project HEAL does not currently have its own public website, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta's Project HEAL feature provides additional information about the program and how it works.

You can also watch CBS Atlanta's Project HEAL spotlight.