The Georgia Department of Transportation in partnership with the City of Atlanta, will begin a comprehensive closure and clearing of the encampment located along Pryor Street near the I-75/85 corridor on Monday, May 5, 2025.
This closure will follow the recommendations of the 2025 Task Force on Homelessness Response, which established new procedures for how the City safely manages encampment closures.
“Living in these encampments is not safe for the people living there, the surrounding communities or the public at large. They pose serious health, life and safety risks that we have a moral obligation to address. Following the newly created recommendations from our taskforce, and after weeks of outreach, our neighbors will be relocated to safe and secure housing that will put them on the road to self-sufficiency,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
This closure is part of a coordinated, multi-agency response to safety hazards posed by encampments located on state right-of-way and under bridge structures—areas where urban camping is prohibited under Georgia law (GA 32-6-6).
Advance required notice signage was posted on April 23. Outreach teams are actively working with residents to connect them with resources. The Atlanta Police Department (APD) will assist with traffic control and ensure safety throughout the operation.
The City and GDOT remain committed to conducting all closures humanely, safely, and transparently, in full consideration of the rights and needs of the unhoused community.
The City of Atlanta City Council authorized the creation of a 90-Day Homelessness Task Force to examine the City’s current policies and procedures utilized to address issues surrounding persons experiencing homelessness, with a primary emphasis on establishing standard operating procedures for decommissioning encampments (Legislation 25-R-3086). In fulfillment of the legislated purpose, the Task Force is pleased to share a presentation at the 45-Day point at the Community Development and Human Services Committee on April 29th, 2025, as well as this Executive Summary.
The legislation specified 36 organizations, in addition to City departments, to comprise the Task Force and included nonprofit, faith-based, advocacy, and other governmental entities. This Task Force has been facilitated by outside consultant and four Subcommittees were formed to organize the work streams: Standard Operating Procedures and Policies (SOPP), Medical and Mental Health, Prevention and Diversion, and Alternative and Emerging Solutions. All Task Force members were given the opportunity to participate in as many Subcommittee meetings as they desired. Prior to the 45-Day Report, an in-person kickoff meeting, two in-person Task Force Core meetings, and 20 virtual Subcommittee meetings were conducted.
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