Atlanta, Fulton County battling over homelessness funding as cold snap moves in

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — On Thursday, Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens questioned Fulton County’s commitment to addressing homelessness across Atlanta.

“Fulton County is a partner we thought we could trust because this is local, we’re all part of this ecosystem,” Dickens said Thursday at a press event outside an affordable housing complex in southwest Atlanta.

Dickens said Fulton County is shirking its responsibility of paying $4.8 million annually as part of a 30-year agreement to address homelessness across Atlanta and Fulton County.

Dickens said the County is short in its financial investment by roughly $2.1 million for 2026.

“That’s the agreement. And we must keep them to their promises. Promises made, must be promises kept. Or see you at the ballot,” Dickens said.

A potential winter storm is expected late Saturday through Sunday, bringing the possibility of snow to north and central Georgia. Sunday is a First Alert Weather Day for cold, breezy conditions and potential winter weather.

READ MORE: First Alert: Prepare for potential winter weather Sunday

After the mayor’s press event, Atlanta News First reached out to Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts for reaction who pushed back against the mayor’s comments.

“Read my lips. That $2.1 million dollars will be in the approved 2026 budget,” Pitts said.

He said the mayor’s comments were premature because the County does not vote on their 2026 budget until Wednesday.

“Anything between now and then is just conversation,” Pitts said. “I have directed the manager and his staff to find the money.”

This issue was sparked during last week’s Board of Commissioners meeting when Fulton County Commissioner Mo Ivory questioned county staff about why the roughly $2.1 million in funding for homeless services was not included in the County’s recommended FY2026 budget.

Commissioner Ivory also spoke during Thursday’s press event alongside Mayor Dickens questioning the County’s commitment.

“Fulton County should be a partner to its cities, not a hinderance to the vital services that its cities need. And I’m committed to being a partner in this fight that we should be in together,” Ivory said.

Pitts said while he is advocating to provide $4.8 million in the FY2026 budget towards homeless services, he said the agreement between the County and the City of Atlanta does not require the County’s investment.

“That means subject to the funds being available,” Pitts said. “2027 and beyond we’ll have to find the money, because we may or may not have it.”

Dickens said his goal of securing 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2030 is challenged by a lack of commitment by federal and local funding.

“It’s makes it more difficult to get to 20,000 units when government is now reducing what they’re doing,” Dickens said. “The federal government is no longer doing as much as they did in the past. There have been a number of things that they have walked back in the housing and urban development department. And we’re critical.”

On Wednesday, Gov. Brian Kemp (R, GA) announced he plans to invest $50 million in state funding into homelessness initiatives.

Dickens, on Thursday, said it is unclear how much the City of Atlanta or Fulton County will be allocated or when those jurisdictions could see any funds.

Fulton County’s Board of Commissioners is set to approve their FY2026 budget on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

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