MARTA, HOPE Atlanta Launch Pilot Program To Help Local Unsheltered Population
MARTA and HOPE Atlanta are coming together to help people who are experiencing homelessness and seeking shelter at MARTA stations.
Lyle Harris, senior director of customer and employee experience at MARTA, and Jeff Smythe, executive director for HOPE Atlanta, talked with “Closer Look” host Rose Scott on Monday about The MARTA HOPE Team initiative.
![Lyle Harris, right, and Jeff Smythe talked with "Closer Look" host Rose Scott on Monday about The MARTA HOPE Team initiative. (Courtesy of Lyle Harris and Jeff Smythe)](https://www.wabe.org/app/uploads/2020/09/ATLANTA-HOPE-1024x576.jpg)
Under the new yearlong outreach pilot program, two HOPE Atlanta case managers will work with MARTA Police to help people experiencing homelessness. Individuals will be offered social services, homeless care options and permanent housing solutions according to their needs.
Smythe and Harris told Scott the initiative is one of the first of its kind in the country.
“Our goal is to see if we can make a dent in the challenges that people are facing every day,” said Harris. “These are our friends; these are our neighbors; these are folks who we share the city with and this region with.”
Guests:
- Lyle Harris, senior director of customer and employee experience at MARTA
- Jeff Smythe, executive director for HOPE Atlanta
To listen to the full conversation, please click the audio player above.