Hello- my name is Adam, I believe this is my first post. I live downtown at the Georgia State lofts; I study urban issues at Georgia State in their "Community Studies" program.
How the issue of homelessness is being discussed here is really disappointing to me. These people are HUMAN BEINGS, not simple annoyances to all the well-off folks headed to the Civic Center. I know the area is a blight, but let's remember that they are simply humans like all of us and you have no idea why they got where they are.
The whole ideology that people that give them money or food are "enablers" and all that don't are somehow helping them more? What a load of crap. If you don't want to give them anything thats fine, but don't justify it as if you are helping them more than the "bleeding-heart enablers".
Other than that, I am really excited to join the forum. I have been interested in urban and Atlanta issues ever since my Nana started taking me all around the city on MARTA when I was like 3- I barely remember going to Rich's, Kesslers, etc. before they closed in the early 90s. I have now dedicated my life to learning more about urban issues and making Atlanta a truly great place to life, with an emphasis on better and more expansive transit and sustainable development along with social concerns over things like affordable housing and those who lose in the process of gentrification.
Hoping for some great discussions- I feel I have a lot to contribute. Everyone has some great ideas- I've been lurking for years- so I think this will be fun.
Adam