Atlanta’s housing affordability crisis is increasingly impacting young adults, a challenge leaders, advocates and young people gathered to address during the Atlanta Thrive Summit hosted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation at Pittsburgh Yards on May 8.
The summit focused on how housing instability, food insecurity and gaps in support systems are shaping the lives of Atlantans ages 14 to 24 as they transition into adulthood.
Katrina Mitchell, Director of the Atlanta Civic Site at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, opened the event by highlighting the foundation’s investment in Atlanta neighborhoods and youth development since launching its Atlanta Civic Site in 2001.
The summit also highlighted the foundation’s housing and community development work in southwest Atlanta, including the Pittsburgh Homes Project, a 15-year initiative focused on turning renters into owners, investing in deeply affordable homes for low-income residents and strengthening neighborhood development.
The president and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Lisa Lawson, framed adolescence as a developmental period that cities and policymakers often misunderstand.
Drawing from her book, “Thrive: How the Science of Adolescence Can Help Us Understand and Support Young People,” Lawson described adolescence as “a bridge” between childhood and adulthood. One today’s young people are crossing during a period of rising housing costs and economic uncertainty.
“How can we make sure that bridge is stable for young people?” Lawson said during an interview following the summit. “How can we make sure they’ve got housing? How can we make sure they’ve got food? How can we make sure their communities are safe and nonviolent?”
Lawson said stable housing and supportive adult relationships are critical to helping young people navigate early adulthood.
“Housing for young people is essential, and the consequences are dire when they don’t have stable housing,” Lawson said. “It affects every part of their lives.”
Lawson also noted that “more than half of eligible young adults are not enrolled in SNAP,” adding that many young people are balancing housing costs, food insecurity and education expenses simultaneously.
The summit also highlighted Thrive by 25, the foundation’s strategy supporting young people ages 14 to 24 through investments in housing, education, workforce development and mentorship.
In Atlanta, the initiative includes partnerships with the United Way of Greater Atlanta and its subsidiary CareerReady ATL, which connects young adults to paid apprenticeships and support services such as housing and transportation assistance.
Amanda Jaquez, senior associate at the Atlanta Civic Site, said the summit focused on gaps young adults face in Atlanta’s housing ecosystem despite broader affordable housing efforts.
“We are making bold strides, and there’s a lot of political consensus and support for affordable housing,” Jaquez said during an interview. “But we are not uniquely focusing on what young adults need.”
Jaquez questioned how young adults who are not yet earning living wages are expected to access stable housing in Atlanta’s rising rental market.
A panel discussion later in the summit featured service providers and young adults with lived experience navigating housing instability.
Bidemi Animashaun said Atlanta lacks enough housing inventory specifically designed for young adults ages 18 to 24.
“Affordability today for the average 18 to 24-year-old in Atlanta does not mean a $1,500 monthly rent,” Animashaun said.
Mouconjay Gayou said many young people feel disconnected from systems intended to support them.
“I think there’s a lot of lack of hope right now,” Gayou said.
Mitchell closed the panel discussion with a quote from one of her 16-year-old twins:
“Young people should be given the pencil and paper so they can write [sic] the wrong,”
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