In March 2022 Mayor and Commission authorized $5 million in ARPA funds for homelessness initiatives. The advisory group for the Homelessness bucket is composed of members of the Athens Homeless Coalition. They are charged with creating a community‐wide five year strategic plan to address homelessness, to reduce and prevent homelessness in Athens Clarke County, and to strengthen the mental health and social service support systems for unhoused residents. In addition, the advisory group is tasked with providing specific guidance on how ACCGov can aid in transitioning unhoused residents to permanent housing including supportive housing.

In addition to the $5 million homelessness bucket two additional ARPA projects which aim to prevent and reduce homelessness have been approved. This includes the First Step Homeless Encampment, as well as the Eviction Prevention Program. More information about these projects is available below.