The Annie E. Casey Foundation convened community leaders, young people and housing partners in Atlanta on Friday, May 8, for two events highlighting efforts to support young people as they transition to adulthood and expand access to stable, affordable housing.
The day began with the Atlanta Thrive Summit, a morning gathering that brought together Atlanta community leaders and young people to explore how the city can better support young people ages 14–24. Grounded in research on adolescent brain development — often described as a “second window” of opportunity for growth and development — the conversation focused on how communities can respond during this critical period to improve long-term outcomes.
The summit elevated what young people say they need most to thrive and emphasized that meeting basic needs — especially stable housing — is foundational to success across education, employment and overall well-being. Participants explored housing stability, eviction prevention and community-driven strategies that support young people and families in achieving long-term stability.
In the afternoon, the Foundation hosted Pittsburgh Homes: Reflecting On 15 Years of Promising Housing Strategies, a celebration of the Pittsburgh Homes Project and its impact in Atlanta’s Pittsburgh neighborhood. The event highlighted lessons learned from a long-term effort to expand affordable housing opportunities, support pathways to homeownership and strengthen community-led development.
Through its Thrive by 25® initiative, the Foundation works to ensure young people have the relationships, resources and opportunities they need to successfully transition to adulthood.
The Pittsburgh Homes Project complements this work by addressing one of the most critical needs facing families and young people: stable housing. Over 15 years, the initiative has supported efforts to preserve affordability, expand access to housing and demonstrate community-driven approaches to long-term housing stability.
Both events took place at The Nia Building® at Pittsburgh Yards® in Atlanta
