Mayor Andre Dickens has spearheaded a project dedicated to those who are unhoused in Atlanta, GA.
On Jan. 26, Atlanta held the ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Melody, the city’s first rapid housing initiative, Axios reports. Located in south downtown on city-owned property, The Melody is made up of 40 shipping containers that were each transformed into private living quarters. Consisting of one room, they include a bed, bathroom, and kitchenette, the outlet details.
The Melody is named after the late Melody Bloodworth, who while being unhoused and living with a mental illness, passed away after freezing on the streets in November 2022.
“We wanted to be as thoughtful and as intentional as possible in creating a safe and dignified community where residents can thrive and find pathways out of homelessness,” Dickens said, according to the outlet.
In an Instagram post, Dickens also shared that the rooms feature air conditioning, heat, a microwave, a refrigerator, a television, free Wi-Fi and laundry, and more. In addition, there is controlled access, camera surveillance, and case managers available who can provide residents with physical and mental health support.
“Introducing ‘Melody’ — a safe and dignified community providing housing for the homeless,” Dickens wrote in a caption. “With 40 micro unit shipping containers, our goal is to offer privacy, independence, and a sense of community this is just a part of how we plan to follow through on our commitment to producing 500 units of rapid housing on public land by 2025.”
He added, “Alongside supportive services and case management, ‘Melody’ will make a lasting impact in addressing homelessness. This is how we continue #movingatlantaforward and provide a brighter future for those in need.”
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The Melody follows Dickens signing an executive order in August 2023 to purchase the shipping containers from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. The inaugural rapid housing initiative is another step closer toward Dickens’ objective to have 20,000 affordable housing units in Atlanta by 2030, per Axios. Already, Atlanta has its eyes on “another city-owned site adjacent to its water reservoir on Northside Drive as another place where it can install similar ‘quick delivery units.'”
