Assessment Center, Shelter To Be Built To Fight Homelessness

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA -- Gwinnett is teaming up with United Way, the Primerica Foundation, and other partners on a new collaborative program to better coordinate assistance for people in our community who are homeless.

Called the HomeFirst Gwinnett Initiative, the program is establishing an assessment center and a 20-bed shelter for women and children in the Norcross area. At the center, visitors' needs will be determined, and they will be referred directly to the appropriate agency or provider.

"Several organizations and individuals in the community are addressing different aspects of the homelessness, but it is not always well-coordinated," said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash. "Partnering with the private sector and the United Way, the County is helping fund the HomeFirst Initiative to help create a system that is coordinated and does the most with each dollar."

Instead of a groundbreaking, work on the center was recently launched with a Break-Through event where dignitaries, including Nash and several district commissioners, used sledge hammers to pummel signs representing obstacles for the homeless.

HomeFirst hopes to open a second assessment center and shelter later this year on another site yet to be selected.

To learn more, visit United Way Atlanta's HomeFirst Gwinnett page.