Atlanta City Council halts use of heavy machinery in encampment sweeps, creates task force on homelessness
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - On Monday, the Atlanta City Council made notable changes to how the city approaches homelessness and specifically how it conducts encampment clearings.
Firstly, the council approved a temporary halt on the use of heavy machinery during encampment clearings.
The legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, also called for the city’s Continuum of Care to publish a report on the procedures used during encampment clearings.
Secondly, the council unanimously approved the creation of a task force focused on homelessness and the city’s approach to the crisis.
Finally, the city council approved a $1 million donation to HOPE Atlanta to help efforts preventing displacement.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Funeral held for man killed during homeless encampment sweep
The sweeping changes come less than a month after the death of Cornelius Taylor, a 44-year-old man who was killed while heavy machinery was clearing a homeless encampment near Auburn Avenue on Jan. 16.
Taylor’s death intensified calls to action for the city to better address homelessness citywide. The policy change was approved on the day funeral services were held for Taylor.
Loved ones ended the day feeding the unhoused on Old Wheat Street, where Taylor was killed. Among those serving plates was Taylor’s sister, Darlene Chaney.
“It’s a slight weight off the shoulder,” Chaney said. “It’s a step in the right direction. It feels good; it makes me feel like this will continue forward – we can continue to fight because something is happening, change is happening.”
Chaney has been at the forefront of pushing for change since her brother’s death.
“Makes me feel happy that our voice is heard,” she said. “This has not been in vain. Cornelius’ death has not been in vain.”
Attorney Mawuli Davis, who’s representing Taylor’s family, says there’s still work to be done.
“One of the things that is not complete is our investigation, which is independent of what the city is doing, independent of what Atlanta police are doing, and we think that’s an important part of it,” Davis said.
Earlier on Monday, advocates, family and friends of Taylor attended funeral services at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
“And I marched up here behind his body, behind his casket. I missed my classes to see him off,” said Adjoa Baidoo, a law student at Georgia State University.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man killed during clearing of homeless encampment honored at public visitation
Many of the attendees then marched to Atlanta City Hall ahead of the council meeting.
Baidoo said she hopes the city not only changes its approach but changes how it views those who are unhoused altogether.
“To see homelessness as a multi-faceted problem with multi-faceted solutions. But those solutions should center people’s humanity above all, even if that humanity doesn’t look like ours,” said Baidoo.
MORE COVERAGE:
City of Atlanta advances legislation to temporarily ban homeless encampment sweeps
Funeral services announced for Cornelius Taylor, man killed during homeless encampment sweep
Atlanta City Council considers moratorium on homeless encampment sweeps after man’s death
Family of man killed in homeless encampment sweep rallies in Atlanta to demand change
Vigil held for homeless man killed during homeless encampment clear-out
Calls for accountability after man killed by city truck clearing homeless encampment
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