Augusta, GA
Homeless ‘point in time’ survey is counting on your help
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – This year, there is more need than ever to help those who experience homelessness.
It’s cold outside, the winds are brutal on any given day, and if you stand out there long enough, your hands and toes begin to lose circulation.
Imagine living this day in and day out.
Every year on the last 10 days of January, communities conduct a count of the homeless.
This year, the “point-in-time” count will be Jan. 22-31 in Augusta.
In 2022, Augusta found 576 people experiencing homelessness. In 2023, the count grew to 643.
“Our homeless point in time is our annual count of our sheltered and unsheltered individuals here in our community,” said Tammy Ruth, homeless coordinator for Augusta Housing Community Development.
It’s not just a time to count the homeless but also an opportunity along with at least 15 shelters and pop-up shelters to provide resources to the homeless.
The face of homelessness is changing.
“Homelessness looks like you and me. It looks like the child sitting next to your child in school. It looks like the doctor that may be providing care for you. It could be your attorney. It could be the person serving you at McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A, we never know who is experiencing homelessness,” said Bethany Trapp, program coordinator for Marion Barnes Assessment and Referral Center for the Homeless.
They are expecting numbers to grow even higher this year.
“They’re at least double that are experiencing homelessness in Augusta. We want to try and make sure that we encapsulate all of that during this count so that we get a true number. Homelessness is fluid. There’s a lot of times where we may not find them in encampments,” said Trapp.
This year, there are more shelters than ever, and the call has gone out for community assistance with the count and with putting together survival kits.
Close to 150 volunteers are needed to pull this off.
“We are currently sitting at around 104 volunteers. We would love to see about 40 or 50 more, just to make sure that we have all of that coverage,” said Trapp.
MORE FROM NEWS 12:
- Golden Harvest Food Bank opens new center, seeks more volunteers
- Salvation Army of Augusta surpasses Red Kettle campaign goal
Both day and night volunteers are needed, and they’ll need to attend a training session.
Donation needs include toiletries, sleeping bags, dry foods and canned foods.
Ruth said: “We have a task for any community member that has a desire to help and make a meaningful impact in their community.”
LaDonna Doleman, manager at the Master’s Table soup kitchen, says every little bit counts to save and change a life.
“Everyone counts. Every meal counts. Every volunteer counts. Every guest counts. Every family, every meal counts, and we are changing lives every day,” said Doleman.
Trapp explained why it’s rewarding to volunteer: “Most of all, it is a way for those who care about homelessness to get involved and make a difference in their local community.”
To volunteer, visit https://forms.gle/3gkmS2FQhAQYM5wi8.
THE SCHEDULE:
FACES OF HOMELESSNESS IN AUGUSTA:
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NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.
The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.
Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.
Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.
“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.
Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.
Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.
After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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