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Today’s guest on the Around Atlanta edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio is Jean Hilyard, executive director of HomeAid Atlanta. As the designated charity of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (GAHBA) and a chapter of HomeAid America, HomeAid Atlanta builds and helps to maintain transitional housing facilities for the temporary homeless population in metro Atlanta. In addition, the organization hosts a variety of outreach events throughout the year.
HomeAid Atlanta is currently undergoing a large project at Rainbow Village in Duluth, a transitional housing facility for homeless families. This organization lets families to live there for up to two years while providing programs and giving them time to save money for a home of their own. HomeAid Atlanta is providing Rainbow Village with an additional six units with three bedrooms each, allowing them to house even more needy families at one time.
In addition to the project at Rainbow Village, HomeAid Atlanta will soon begin two new large-scale projects, including work at the Drake House and the construction of an eight-unit apartment building for Phoenix Pass.
Another way that HomeAid Atlanta serves the homeless community is through HomeAid Care Days. These one-day events consist of a group of volunteers completing whatever tasks a particular facility may need, from planting flowers to painting walls. Upcoming Care Days include an event with the Professional Women in Building Council of the GAHBA and the Remodelers Association at the United Methodist Children’s Home on Sept. 19 and again with CBRE in October; an event with the GAHBA and the NFL Former Player’s Association on Oct. 12 at Decatur Cooperative Ministries and many more.
This year, HomeAid Atlanta was able to give to the homeless community by providing Care Kits, which are hygiene kits that are given to people who are currently living on the street or are very close to doing so. Bank of America sponsored the purchase of all of the items, which included toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, deodorant and more. In total, 500 Care Kits were given out. HomeAid Atlanta will be providing even more Care Kits during an event in November as part of National Homeless Awareness Week.
One of the primary ways that HomeAid Atlanta is able to provide assistance to so many organizations is through sponsorships and donations of supplies, labor, time and more. As the economy continues to strengthen, HomeAid Atlanta is becoming involved with ever larger projects, meaning they are looking for even more donations, particularly of building materials.
For more information on HomeAid Atlanta and what it does, listen to the full podcast above. To find out how you can volunteer your time, labor or materials or become a financial sponsor for HomeAid Atlanta, contact Jean Hilyard by calling 678-775-1401 or emailing HomeAid@AtlantaHBA.com. You can also visit www.HomeAidAtlanta.org for more information.
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