ATLANTA — After years of back and forth, the troubled Peachtree Pine homeless shelter will shut its doors for good.
Channel 2 Action News has learned paperwork was filed Wednesday to close the Peachtree Pine homeless shelter. Violent crime, including the murder of an active duty sergeant in 2015, has concerned residents over the years.
"When they close it down, where are the homeless people going to go? We're going to migrate to the McDonald's, anywhere we can sit while it's raining," one woman said.
In a statement we received Thursday afternoon from the non-profit Central Atlantic Progress, they will soon take over the property from the Metro Atlanta Task Force.
The statement said in part:
"The settlement agreement also authorizes Central Atlanta Progress, working closely with The Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, to proceed with plans to place the current residents of the Peachtree-Pine shelter into other suitable facilities ... with the exception of the current residents awaiting transition to other facilities, however, the Peachtree-Pine property will no longer operate as a homeless shelter. As part of the settlement, the Task Force for the Homeless will receive funds to continue its mission."
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Figuring out where the homeless will go is something Jack Hardin, co-chair of the regional commission on homelessness, said will take time to figure out.
"I think it's going to be a good thing for the people. I'm delighted that the warring parties have buried their hatchets," he said.
Hardin said social workers will come in and assess needs and figure out how each individual will best be served.
"Hopefully something good will come out of this," business owner Heyward Wescott said.
Wescott said he's dealt with panhandlers and bricks and rocks thrown through his window.
CAP will take control of the shelter on Aug. 28. The organization has not said what the building will be used for in the future.
Cox Media Group
