Number of people experiencing homelessness in Macon drops significantly

Every two years, Macon-Bibb County participates in the statewide Point-In-Time (PIT) Count under the direction of Georgia's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in order to help determine the number of people experiencing homelessness in the area. The count is one-night snapshot of people experiencing homelessness in a community.

Between 2024 and 2026, the number of people experiencing homelessness decreased by more than 34%. In 2024, there were 682 people counted, with 307 being unsheltered and 375 in shelters. In 2026, 448 people were counted, with 166 being unsheltered and 282 sheltered.

Part of the count also includes a determination of housing inventory, both the number of available beds and the number of people using them. From 2024 to 2026, the number of people using the more stable transitional housing increased from 186 to 203 and permanent supportive housing increased from 321 to 363. The number of people using emergency shelters decreased from 189 to 79, and rapid rehousing numbers decreased from 167 to 87.

"This much of a change speaks to the compassion of our community, of its ability to create more safe and secure spaces to house people in their time of need, to provide the needed support services, and to make sure people know where they can go for help," says Mayor Lester Miller. "From opening up the Brookdale Resource Center to increasing outreach services, we have begun building a service pipeline that will help move people and families into stable housing."

"This is a substantial change in just two years and a reversal of the trend leading up to 2024," says Reverend Dr. Jake Hall with Root Analytics, the organization which led this year's PIT Count. "We're seeing fewer people unsheltered or staying in shelters, and more people moving into some form of housing."

After several years of outreach efforts, the number and density of encampments have also significantly decreased. Due to the public safety and public health challenges these encampments present, they have been cleaned of trash, human waste, burned materials, and more. This includes camps at Melrose and Astor, on Eisenhower Parkway, and along the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail near Gateway Park.

"Despite this progress, we have much more to do," adds Mayor Miller. "There are still many people who need assistance, including those who require a level of mental and addiction support that is currently difficult to receive at the needed levels."

Despite the increase in people getting into shelters and housing, there are still recurring challenges with people sleeping in the streets, disruptive behavior, substance abuse, and more. Through the Downtown Business Improvement District's outreach program, it's been observed that many of the same people are present in the area, whether they have refused services, have need of specific professional services, or because behavior limits their ability to use shelters. Additionally, outreach efforts by organizations (some from outside the county) such as food distribution make the area a draw for people experiencing homelessness.

"It's going to take coordination, collaboration, and policy on a much deeper level to address the challenges we're currently facing," says Erin Keller, NewTown Macon Chief of Staff & Vice President for Development. "We have so much compassion in our community, and that shows in our outreach efforts. It's time now time to focus that compassion on our current challenges and to help the people we see every day, whether that's store owners, shoppers, residents, or people experiencing homelessness."

"Taking care of each other means prioritizing the health and safety of the people living, working, and shopping Downtown and other areas of our county," says Mayor Miller. "Public safety is our community's top priority, and that means holding people accountable for their actions."

Root Analytics is currently presenting results of the PIT Count to organizations like the Downtown Business Improvement District, Downtown Macon Community Association (DMCA), the Eisenhower Business Improvement District, neighborhood organizations, and other interested partners. During those presentations, feedback will be sought on current needs and challenges in an effort to determine next steps in expanding programs to protect public health and safety.

At a recent meeting of the DMCA, business owners expressed concern over enforcement of current rules and regulations, and many of those would be clarified and expanded in policy and code changes. These would make it clear about public feeding of people, how to respond to people in crisis, what is and isn't allowed, and who to call for different types of situations. On hand was the Bibb County Sheriff's Office, reiterating that with any disruption to public safety or illegal activity, they are to be called.

About the Point in Time Count

The Point in Time Count uses data collected on where people stayed on a single night in January, with teams canvassing the community to talk directly with people. They also count encampments, number of tents, and vehicles where people are sleeping. This year's count was led by Root Analytics - the group which has been leading service provider outreach efforts in area encampments - and a team of local volunteers, Code Enforcement Officers, and more. The Count does not include housing insecurity such as people doubled up with family or friends, in unstable motels, or at imminent risk of losing housing.