Micro communities for homeless sprout in Atlanta and other cities eager for small, quick and cheap solutions

City officials in Atlanta and other cities believe micro communities offer stability that can put residents on the path to secure housing.
The gated micro community known as “The Melody” is shown Friday, April 12, 2024, in Atlanta. The Melody is a housing complex made from shipping containers and is intended to help house people from Atlanta's homeless population. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

In a dreary part of downtown Atlanta, shipping containers have been transformed into an oasis for dozens of previously unsheltered people who now proudly call a former parking lot home.

The gated micro community known as “The Melody” doesn’t look like a parking lot anymore. Artificial turf is spread across the asphalt. Potted plants and red Adirondack chairs abound. There’s even a dog park.

The shipping containers have been divided into 40 insulated studio apartments that include a single bed, HVAC unit, desk, microwave, small refrigerator, TV, sink and bathroom. On a recent afternoon, a half-dozen residents were chatting around a table in The Melody’s smoking area.