Alisha's Story: The Way Home

In this impactful episode of Unseen Atlanta, Alisha shares her journey from homelessness to healing at Atlanta Mission. She recounts the struggles of being unseen and unsafe, the relief of finding shelter, and how faith and community restored her sense of hope and purpose. 

This episode also features Sarah Stein, Senior Advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, who touches on the systemic barriers contributing to housing insecurity and what we can do as a community to address them. Together, these stories shed light on both the personal and structural challenges of homelessness and inspire us to take action. 

Transcript

Alisha Full Episode Audio 
 

Alisha: Being homeless is a very difficult challenge. I really didn't have anywhere to go. I've came a long way from being in the streets to a place where I'm like, wow, I feel good. I feel confident. I couldn't believe it that this place existed. Atlanta mission, or the organization, I would say I'm very grateful and very thankful. 

And, uh, the outcome is amazing.  

Rachel: Hi, welcome to unseen Atlanta and Atlanta mission podcast. where we shine light on some of the city's toughest issues. We're going to do this by sharing true stories from real people, as well as sharing subject matter experts who can give us some context to some of these issues. 

I'll be your host, Rachel Reynolds.  

Jonathan: And I'm Jonathan Miller. Rachel, we just had a great interview with Alicia.  

Rachel: She talks a lot about what it feels like to be homeless. So she was on the streets, she was wandering around, um, she felt like she had to be in constant movement in order to stay safe. Then she tells us what it's like when she gets to Atlanta Mission. 

Jonathan: You really see the duality of having a lack of something and then being provided all of your needs. Um, and she keeps saying this word. She's asking, what did that feel like? Yeah. She kept saying, the only word I can think of is relieved.  

Rachel: Yeah, yeah.  

Jonathan: That's such a small word, but there's so much emotion packed in it. 

Rachel: So you guys are going to love hearing her story. I think it's a great opportunity for you to really Get into the mind, um, and the feelings of someone who's experiencing homelessness. So we hope you enjoy it. Hey, Alicia. Hi. How are you? Great. Thank you. Good to see you today. You too. Likewise. You look fabulous. 

Thank you. So let's talk a little bit about you got on a Greyhound bus. Yes. And you ended up in Georgia. Yes,  

Alisha: that was an experience. I got on the Greyhound bus from Miami and my destination was here, Atlanta. And I arrived at Atlanta, I would say, almost midnight. But however, to backtrack, um, the experience on the bus was, uh, I'd never been on a Greyhound bus. 

Yeah. So it was kind of, uh, an experience. I was nervous. I'm arriving in a new city. So, um, with just my back, my backpack. So, uh, I'm just nervous about this whole experience. But once I arrived in Atlanta, um, I ride at the Greyhound, uh, bus station. And, uh, crowded, um, families with children. I was kind of like, it was, it was so many people there. 

Probably really  

Jonathan: overwhelming. It  

Alisha: was overwhelming, and also I could see other families, homeless families, I assume. And others waiting for the bus. Why'd you pick Georgia? Because I, I have heard before, I'm African American, how the experience there, um, is a big city, is a city of opportunity. It's a city of opportunity. 

And, um, and I said, okay, let me see what, if I can find opportunity there. However, uh, I, I didn't have much money. Uh, so, uh, coming from a domestic situation, uh, I pretty much had no choice. Limited funds. At what year was this? Well, this is 2024, I would say. Uh, late summer August. Okay. Around August. It was hot. 

It was hot It, but I arrived in the co it was in the early morning. Okay. 12:00 AM around that time. Oh, so you said middle of the night? Yeah, so it was when I arrived, um, so many people, children, families, so, uh, I really didn't have anywhere to go, so I pretty much, um, walked. away because it was also unsafe for me. 

So I just took my belongings and just walked, uh, just walked because I believe it's around downtown. Yeah. So, um, and you didn't know where you were going. I didn't know where I was going. Were you looking for a shelter? You know what? I, at some point, I have come to a realization, Anisha, you know, um, you need to find somewhere to go immediately. 

Because I, again, I don't, I'm new to the city. Yeah. I didn't really talk to anyone once I got off the bus. I, cause I was, you know, I don't know, somebody can direct me to another, a wrong place. Um, I didn't know anyone. Uh, I didn't trust anyone, so I had my phone and I did look at somewhere like a shelter or somewhere where I can, um, sleep, I guess, for the night, um, but that didn't happen right away. 

Um, so pretty much, um, I just walked through in the residential area, just wandering, because, um, previously, like I said, I was coming from a domestic, uh, situation. I was still in shock. I was still, you know, responding 

from that experience. Um, uh, I couldn't think straight. Yeah. Uh, it was overwhelming, but I had to move, leave that environment. The Greyhound Surrounding areas was, was not a safe place for me to be, you know, um, Hanging out and just looking lost so I said something in myself my inner self At least you need to move get your stuff. 

Don't look obvious like you're lost or you know so just walk and I walked and I just kept on going and I Ended up in a more of a residential area and I just I said, well, you know, what are you gonna do? But I did Look at my phone and there were several places. I was considering the Salvation Army.  

Mm hmm,  

Alisha: and I said, okay Well, you should try to find some place some place to lay down because I was so tired from the the bus trip it was it was getting earlier in the morning and I was so exhausted because that while I was Getting off the bus and walking around was just walking when you probably didn't get a lot of sleep on the bus I don't I don't well, I didn't  

yeah. 

Alisha: No that morning Onto the early morning day, um, no sleep,  

my  

Alisha: feet, exhaustion. You were just so tired. I was so tired. Uh, I didn't have any water. I didn't have any food. Uh, no, uh, place to, uh, for personal, you know, uh, restrooms because everything was closed. The environment was scary. New city. Yeah. Other homeless people, you know, and I'm female, others homeless men, and I was concerned about my safety. 

Yeah, for sure. I met this woman, she was sitting on a bench in a park area, and I was so tired, I said, you know, do you mind if I sit? Because she was, you know, some people don't want to share their space, but she was open for me to sit. And we had a small conversation, and she said, you know what, I, uh, I was telling her, I said, you know, I don't have no place to lay down, and I'm exhausted. 

She said, well, you know, at the restoration, and I said, well, I had seen it when I was looking for shelters. You saw Restoration House? I saw Restoration, Salvation Army, and, uh, and the locations as far as how far I can walk there. Because I didn't have any money to, uh, use any type of, uh, transportation. I had to walk everywhere. 

So she directed me, she said, you know, I know of a place that you can, uh, rest. Because, uh, uh, she mentioned you can, you know, sleep there safe for women. Uh, on the side, on the sidewalk. Oh, not even inside? No. Oh, okay. you, she said for you. Has she  

Rachel: been staying outside?  

Alisha: She has, and she was an elderly woman. 

Okay. She was in her seventies, and she's been on the street for like a year and a half.  

Okay.  

Alisha: So she had, so you know, uh, this place, the restoration house. Yeah. Is, she has been a former resident there. For some reason I trusted her. Yeah. Based upon our discussion.  

Mm hmm.  

Alisha: And, uh, so she told me, she said, you know, rest here. 

We rested here. And she said, this is a place where they will help you. A place where you can get shelter. Mm hmm. There's food. Uh, it also is a Christian, um, establishment. Was that important to you that it was Christian? Yes, it was. Is that, do you have, do you have, do you have faith? I have faith. You know, it is something that I, that kept me through my experience on the street. 

Yeah. Um, I prayed a lot and, um, she, she was a, as I mentioned, a former resident and they, she said it's a great place. They supported her. Um, with her mental health concerns, uh, uh, and she said they will help you pretty much. And I, I, I know I had a mental health concern myself, um, cause I felt so, uh, overwhelmed, tired, confused, scared, so much, you know, uh, you're coming  

Rachel: out of a very traumatic situation. 

Yes. Yeah. So you went there. How'd you get there? Did you walk there? Well, I slept there.  

Alisha: I slept on  

Rachel: the ground outside restoration.  

Alisha: Yes. Okay. It wasn't no different from, you know, when I was wandering around, I stepped on the sidewalk.  

Rachel: Did you feel safe being outside of Restoration House? I felt  

Alisha: safe with her. 

Okay. There was other ladies there and she said, you know, this is, you have to, sometimes you have to wait a little bit before intake. So, um, and she said they have, it's for, uh, family, mothers. And children.  

Yeah.  

Alisha: And single. So I, you know, so I'm single. Yeah. I didn't have any children. So, uh, she directed me there and I, you know, went through, she said, just wait, rest here. 

You're safe. I felt safe.  

Rachel: Okay.  

Alisha: The location. Uh, I didn't feel like it's lingering people lingering and I didn't, uh, quiet. So, uh, I felt safe. So then the next morning did you Well, uh, the next morning, uh, they have a security person. He comes out and he says, you know, uh, in reference to, um, designating who's single, who's with families. 

So, uh, I stood in line. And, uh, I said I was single. She was standing with me as for support. So I stayed. I told her I wanted to stay. So you got a bed? Yes, I did. How many  

Rachel: beds  

Alisha: did they  

Rachel: have open that day? Hmm, maybe  

Alisha: five.  

Rachel: Were you nervous you weren't going to get a bed? Yes.  

Jonathan: Yes. When you walked through the doors of Restoration House for the first time, what did it feel like? 

I felt  

Alisha: relief. I felt, um, wow. I can go through the door, and based upon what she had explained to me about what this, Uh, place can offer, she said, Leisha, they're welcoming, and I did feel welcome because the security officer, he was, he had something about him, he felt like, okay, he's, it's insecure. He's a, there's a security guard there. 

So I was like, okay, I was impressed with that. And that, like you, like, as you mentioned that they had placement for myself, uh, And once I, as you mentioned, as I walked through the door, I felt good that I was accepted, that I won't be in the streets, I won't be wandering the streets in an unsafe, it's very unsafe. 

Mm hmm.  

Alisha: So, uh, I felt relieved. So what were those first 30 days like, at Restoration House? When I was directed to, uh, my room. And it's, you know, there's, it's shared with four, three other ladies. Uh, I was impressed with how, uh, clean, uh, it was. I was impressed how organized it was. Um, everyone there was, just was so, um, warm and inviting. 

It's okay. You're, you know, so, uh, and they gave me a set of, you know, rules of the policy. Uh, what the expectations are. Um, I felt good because I felt the environment. It felt safe. I felt like, okay, I'll be okay. And it's available.  

Jonathan: So you had been traveling.  

Alisha: Yes.  

Jonathan: You're on a Greyhound bus for who knows how long. 

Alisha: Yes, hours. Walking  

Jonathan: around. You slept a night outside of Restoration House. Outside,  

Alisha: on sidewalks. Um,  

Jonathan: you were exhausted.  

Alisha: Yes.  

Jonathan: That's an understatement.  

Alisha: Yeah Yes,  

Jonathan: what was your first night? Like when you get to lay your head on a pillow?  

Rachel: Now, what was that feeling?  

Alisha: Oh I Don't want to get emotional.  

Rachel: You can get emotional  

Alisha: but I Was just so really again relieved that I can lay my head my feet hurt I this does my body ate The, the fact that the, there's, you know, a bed, we, I mean, I think we just take things for granted. 

Mm-hmm . Beds for granted. Yeah. We take, there's pillow. I just take, I, you know, I, I didn't realize until at that point I said, wow, you know, um, it's, you are gonna be okay. You, there's a bed. Uh, it's clean. Uh, blankets were provided. Um, you have your own drawers, your own space, uh, for your personal belongings. I really felt like myself again, slowly. 

That I can say, okay, Leisha, it's okay, um, you're safe, you know, warm, a warm blanket. It's warmth. I felt warm. I felt welcome.  

Rachel: You felt the lack of all those things on the street.  

Alisha: Yes. I felt ignored. I felt overlooked.  

Rachel: Yeah, tell us a little bit about that because our, obviously our podcast name is Unseen Atlanta. 

Did you feel unseen?  

Alisha: Yes, I did.  

Rachel: And what was that like?  

Alisha: Uh, it felt, you know, as a human being, I felt, um, wow, there's no empathy, lack of empathy for, uh, someone and that's, you know, just at a low point. I noticed a lot of people just walking You know, you walk down a sidewalk, they ignore you, don't even look at you, they'll look, they lay look, and I also experienced where they will look at you with disgust. 

They will look at you with like, Oh, you know, uh, cause I was disheveled.  

Rachel: Yeah.  

Alisha: I wasn't all put together. So yeah, they'll look at you how you look, how you parents, your appearance and make judgment. Um, then, and also, you know, as far as the unseen part, you know. Um, I might have been thirsty. I might have said, here, here's some water. 

Or, you know, oh, she looks like she's dying. You know, just ignored. You know, and it hurt. It really does hurt. And, uh, So, um, Yeah, it didn't feel good. Mentally. Physically. Spiritually. I just felt Like, wow, I'm a human being, you know, I'm, you know, as a woman too, I feel like the safety part.  

Rachel: Safety parts are big. 

Yeah.  

Alisha: Safety is to me, yeah, it's major. As a woman out in the streets, you're looking for cover, you're looking to hide somewhere so you won't be in the experience of being assaulted or harassed.  

Jonathan: So you mentioned faith being a big part of like, why you kept going in those early days. Um, What, what were your prayers like? 

What did you ask God for?  

Alisha: I felt like, Lord, did I deserve this? Did I do something wrong? I felt, Lord, I just, I felt, I felt so helpless. I felt so, even though I, I, my faith was tested, um, but he kept me through, like as I mentioned safety, I, he covered me. Because I, I felt like I, there was experiences where I felt with some of the other homeless individuals where I was like a prey, a victim, I could have been, anything could have happened. 

But my faith, I said, Lord, please, I begged him to protect me. And he did. And I will never forget that experience of how God covered me out there, uh, in that type of, uh, situation. Environment where it's like You're on your like, I don't know where to go. I don't know who to talk to. I don't know anyone But I know Jesus Wow. 

Rachel: If you made it this far into the episode, you're likely feeling the weight of these stories. Unseen Atlanta was created to reveal the raw and unfiltered realities faced by individuals in our city. Struggles with addiction, homelessness, and mental health. It's heavy, but don't stop now. We're about to turn the page to something life changing. 

Hope is coming. When someone steps through our doors, they step into an opportunity to start fresh. The transformation you're about to hear wouldn't be possible without our incredible partners like the Justin Landis Group. Whether you're buying or selling your home in Metro Atlanta, their unwavering commitment to exceptional service and authentic relationships sets them apart. 

Their compassion and dedication to our community fuels stories just like these. A heartfelt thank you to our partner and sponsor, Justin Landis Group. Because of your generosity, these stories don't end here. Now, let's dive back into the episode.  

Jonathan: All right. Um, I, I want to transition us to your time at my sister's house. 

Yes. Yeah. Tell us what was it like going from Restoration House to my sister's house?  

Alisha: Upon entry of the Restoration House, uh, I had, uh, I believe ambassadors and, uh, and was approved for the make progress assessment. And, uh, um, upon graduation, you are transitioning to my sister's house. So, uh, I did, uh, at the, um, restoration, there is a classes that you would take, uh, spiritual classes. 

So I completed that restoration is by one class, one or two classes. But, uh, as far as, uh, the, my sister's house is where we had a curriculum.  

Yeah.  

Alisha: And I was like, uh, okay. How was that? I, it, it really helped me personally. Okay. Because it is, it's a class. I mean, you, you sharing stories with other ladies and it, it's amazing how, um, when you hear other ladies, their testimony, it's like, oh, wow, I can relate to that. 

I understand a lot of the classes, for example, coping, um, uh, trauma. Uh, classes where, uh, a lot of homeless, uh, men and women, uh, they're homeless because of trauma. The beauty at, uh, uh, restoration, uh, the services that they provide and the classes, it's like they, they help you, um. Get a understanding of why you are homeless and why certain things have happened to you. 

Yeah. Why is, uh, the dynamic of your problem, your circumstances? So, um, so we pretty much have classes five days a week. Uh, you  

Rachel: strike me as someone who likes that.  

Alisha: I do. I do. You like to learn, don't you? I like to learn and the but the twist in this, I'm learning more about myself.  

Rachel: Yeah. It's like not just mm-hmm 

Book, book knowledge, book knowledge, and it's much harder to learn about  

Alisha: ourselves. Yes. And that's the hard stuff. It is hard. A lot of our problems, let's say with the homeless, it's a lot of this, this is how family.  

Rachel: Yeah. It's like the foundational relationships in our lives. Yes. Which is our family relationships. 

Yes. Have somehow been broken. Yes. A lot of that. A  

Alisha: lot of brokenness, and we have great facilitators. Um, a lot of them are, um, experienced professional therapists. So do you feel like that part was really helpful for you to go through the classes? Yes, very helpful. Engaging, we were, you know, uh, they have certain, um, topics. 

Uh, That you're able to engage and get an understanding of your experience. And, um, I have learned a lot.  

Rachel: I bet they love you because you actually like taking the classes. I  

Alisha: like taking the classes. And it gives, you know, also I'm sure they love that. It gives Because not everyone does. No, no, no. Now, there are those that kind of, uh, kind of were in conflict of it because it kind of gets into a place where Yeah. 

A hard place. A lot of times 

Rachel: You have to turn the mirror and yes, it's really hard to take a mirror and look at yourself.  

Alisha: Yes, correct. Even for myself personally, you know, uh, forgiveness, for example, I have to forgive myself and forgive others.  

Yeah.  

Alisha: So. Um, so the fundamental, um, core classes helped. It helped me, it helped others. Um, so, um, and again, the facilitators were very caring, considerate, patient. 

Uh, also, um, we have our vocational training, um, program where, uh, two hours, uh, as we say Monday through Friday, where we would assist in dining, housekeeping, uh, so we were busy. We were really involved in, uh, healing and being productive.  

Rachel: Did that make you feel good?  

Alisha: Yes. Uh, I You also  

Rachel: strike me as someone who wants to be productive. 

Alisha: I want, yes, uh, uh, I enjoy being productive. It's positive energy, um, helping others, helping where you live. I mean, being conscious of, of an organization that's helping you, you want to give back.  

Rachel: Yeah,  

Alisha: what does the future look like for you? Optimistic, I A bright future. I'm looking forward to, I'm going to, there's a part of the completion of the program. 

You're going to JSW, where it's a work study, work preparation, and a job. Yeah. Maybe a career. A career.  

Rachel: Not just a job. Yeah.  

Alisha: Alicia, you're going to have a career. A career. Yes. And, um. Someone's going to be lucky to have you. Yes. I'm hoping. But a very positive outlook. So have you started JSW yet? In two weeks. 

Two?  

Rachel: Two weeks. So I'm really looking forward to love it. You are. I will. It's totally your vibe. Yes. Yes.  

Alisha: Yes. And hard work.  

Rachel: Yeah, but you like  

Alisha: that. I do. I do. And I've came a long way. And I've came a long way from being in the streets, literally. Uh, alone, unsafe, cold, just so many feelings to a place where I'm like, Oh, I feel good. 

I feel confident. I feel like I have another chance. And uh, I'm just hoping that my story can help someone out there that, um, like they lost hope. Um, there is hope and the restoration, uh, mission, Atlanta mission. The organization, I would say, I'm very grateful and very thankful, uh, that this, this, this lady that, um, she say, Hey, you come to this location. 

They will help you. And I have trusted her and I believed her and, uh, the outcome is amazing.  

Rachel: Look at you now. The future is so bright for you. Yes. I'm excited to hear where you end up. Thank you. What career you have. I  

Jonathan: have one last question. Hey, what is it? It's  

Rachel: a hard hitting one, I can tell. Pete  

Jonathan: I want to go back to your faith. 

Rachel: Pete  

Jonathan: Um, so you mentioned faith being an important part of your journey, your story.  

Alisha: Pete  

Jonathan: Um, and how when you got to Atlanta, you're on the streets, you're looking for a place, you got to Restoration House, and you're like, God, why? Like, I can imagine myself just being angry at God. Um, how has your faith transformed from then to now? 

Alisha: Uh, very good. Another very good question. Very good question. We're going to therapy today, Alicia. Well, uh, and they provide therapy too. I have counseling. Well, it's okay. You got it now. I got it now. For free. Uh, but, um, you know what? My faith. I was challenged, I'll be honest, I felt many things. I felt, you know, I said, Lord, please forgive, repent. 

I felt like he, but he didn't, he didn't turn his back on me. He said he wouldn't forsake me and he didn't. So I depended on him. I trusted in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. That's all I had. And he led me to this beautiful lady, uh, who, uh, spoke so highly of, uh, Atlanta Mission, the restoration. That's my sister's house. 

Faith is really the foundation of you sustaining yourself. And today I stand on my faith. I'm so much, uh, anchored in my faith because I went through so much. And God carried me through it. He carried me through. So, uh, if I, don't doubt God, even in the, the, the challenges and, uh, being homeless is a very difficult challenge, um, in life. 

Um, but God is with you. He will, he has you right there and he will support you even in when you feel like unseen.  

Jonathan: He sees you. That's, that's so beautiful. And what strikes, strikes me is here you were in a situation where you felt unseen and God has sent you reminders and saying, Alicia, I see you. And it was that woman that you met. 

It was walking through the doors at Restoration House. Laying your head on a pillow. Yes, right these little things where God says Alicia. I'm here. I see you. I see your story This isn't the end.  

Alisha: Yeah, and  

Jonathan: that's a beautiful story.  

Alisha: Yes, and you're right. It isn't the end No, he will continue to be with me through this Transition, but you just have to trust him you have to Not give up. 

Yeah, it's hard to when you're hungry When you, in environments where you like, you know, the safety, the just the, the, the, so many feelings, so many emotions. And that's human. That's normal. Yeah. But your faith will sustain you.  

Rachel: Well thank you so much for sharing your story with us today. Thank you for having me. 

No. It. We're the lucky ones.  

That was incredible. so much. I  

Rachel: think, I really hope that people take from this that, first of all, there are so many different faces of homelessness, but just, I think you describing the experience of what it's like, um, not only, yeah, not only feeling unseen, but also the physical aspects of it. 

You feel tired. You feel worn out. You feel not safe. Um, and so much of. Restoration House, the way that Atlanta Mission, we built Restoration House, is to take all of those basic needs that you don't have when you're homeless and give you those for 30 days to try to stabilize.  

Alisha: Also, I'd like to share that the beauty in this, uh, Atlanta Mission, uh, restoration, uh, my sister's house. 

You're not responsible financially and, uh, and I was really amazed. I was like, wow, I couldn't believe it. This place existed because, you know, um, they provide food, uh, clothing, shelter, um, classes. Uh, I was told it was, you know, it's a program with, uh, that provides shelter. But it's more than that. So much more. 

It's so much more. And, um, I was just so thankful that the Lord had, uh, Position me and position others to say, listen, this is the place where I want you to be. You'll be okay, Alicia, because I'm there.  

Rachel: Yeah, well, and that's why we, we, our tagline is Hope Lives Here. Yes. Because we really, it's so much more than just meeting physical needs. 

It's so much more than meeting emotional needs. It's without hope.  

Alisha: Yes.  

Rachel: There's nothing.  

Alisha: I agree.  

Rachel: And so it's, I think you, you're, you shared so eloquently and so beautifully that, um, That hope is really kind of what sustained you and is what's so different about this. So we really hope that you guys enjoyed this episode with Alicia. 

We hope it gives you a lot to think about, um, when you see someone on the street. Um, just to say their name, look at them in the eyes, help make them feel loved and seen. Um, it's such a basic need we all have. Join us on February 15th to run in the cold for those who sleep in the cold. The Atlanta Mission 5K Race to End Homelessness is happening again this February. 

Every registration provides one night of shelter for someone who desperately needs it. Your run could mean warmth, safety, and hope for a neighbor in need. You can sign up today at atlantamission. org slash race for our podcast listeners. We have a special 10 off promo code. Use the code unseen at checkout to save 10 on your registration. 

That's a U N S E E N at checkout this winter. You can run to save lives. Well, that was an incredible story that we just heard from Alicia. Um, there were so many things in her story. I loved how she got us really into the headspace of what it felt like when she got off of that bus. To not have anywhere to go. 

She talks about wandering around the streets because she felt like she had to keep moving. In order to feel safe. Um, and then what it felt like when she walked through the doors at Atlanta mission. So we really want to talk about what it's like to not have housing security. Um, it's something that we hear a lot about in the news. 

It's something, um, for those of us who live in cities, we hear a lot about affordable housing, the lack of it. So we want to bring you an amazing subject matter expert today, Sarah Stein. She is what the federal reserve bank of Atlanta. And we'd love for you to introduce yourself, Sarah. Hey.  

Sarah: So I'm Sarah Stein. 

I'm a senior advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on our community economic development team. Um, and our team focuses on low to moderate income. Households and communities across our district, which covers Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the lower sections of Mississippi and Louisiana and the eastern half of Tennessee. 

Maybe it's two thirds of Tennessee. Yeah.  

Jonathan: So for our listeners, can you just tell us a little bit about the Federal Reserve Bank, what it is, that kind of thing?  

Sarah: I'm a subject matter expert, an advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, but all of these would be my own opinions and not ones that represent the bank or the system um, at all. 

So the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is uh, one of the banks in the Federal Reserve System. They're regional banks and that system also includes the Board of Governors, uh, which is based out of D. C. 

Manage a lot of, um, of the economic aspects of our, um, economy, monetary things like monetary policy. Um, some we're one of three banking regulators. Um, and I work in the research department in the federal reserve bank of Atlanta. And what we do in that department, um, is, you know. Produce knowledge that can drive a lot of the work that our bank does. 

Um, and we do that in conversation with other research departments. I mean, the community economic development team in particular has, um, a counterpart at each of the reserve banks and on the board of people who are thinking specifically about. The low to moderate income experience of the economy. And we like to say in, in our team and at our bank, uh, one of our priorities is economic mobility and resilience. 

So thinking about how the economy can be more of everyone's economy, what is everyone's experience and how can the economy work for everyone? Um, and. Big portion of that is in our district. Over 40 percent of the population is low to moderate income. So it's very important section of the economy that we we try to understand more about listen carefully to and produce. 

Knowledge and research that can be informative in, um, improving the lives of those people.  

Jonathan: That's great.  

Sarah: Yeah.  

Jonathan: Um, so a lot, you do a lot, um, including you guys, you guys dive into housing insecurity and some, you research that I'm sure. Can you just tell us, um, how do you guys define housing insecurity?  

Sarah: So being housing insecure, Can really encompass all kinds of experiences. 

Um, there's not really one definition. There are a lot of indicators or, um, descriptors that you might use. Um, certainly the, the feeling that you won't be able to. Retain your housing, whether it's because you can't make a rent payment, make a mortgage payment, whether your access to your housing is under, um, some kind of threat. 

Maybe I work a lot around heirs property and that's, um, that's, uh, an issue in somebody's title to their land. Um, and sometimes those many times those owners, um, are vulnerable to actually losing their ownership. Um, and it's. You know, it's a pretty in depth issue. We could talk about probably another time, but, um, but that's also could, could be housing insecurity, um, a good measure, maybe of an economic measure of, of housing insecurity could be one's experience of being cost housing costs burdened. 

So what is what that means, um, from a measurement perspective that most people use, uh, would be that somebody. A household pays more than 30 percent of their income in housing costs. And that actually, that includes not just maybe your rent, but also the associated cost of housing. So housing cost burden is, is, is one measure, um, that is pretty significant. 

Jonathan: So, um, when you're talking about you're talking a lot about like homeowner displacement, um, so  

Sarah: yeah,  

Jonathan: or renters. Yeah. Um, can you tell us what are some of the systemic barriers that are causing people more and more people to experience insecurity?  

Sarah: There's a lot in that question. I mean certainly when you think about housing Insecurity and a barrier to maintaining housing Income is a major factor income or whatever Your ability to pay is so, um, so one thing would be, you know, your ability to participate in the workforce, your ability to have a, um, a job that, I mean, many people are participants in the workforce and still do not have enough money to pay their rent. 

Right. Um, but then also, are you able to participate in the workforce given your child care situation, right? Because a housing cost is really. One cost center in a whole household balance sheet, and it is a big one, but, um, so there are others that are very large as well. Depending on where you live, transportation could be a massive cost center, um, and child care, depending on where you are in your life stage and your family composition could could really be a huge one. 

Be one that just keeps you out of the workforce entirely. Um, and all of these things affect, you know, what maybe how much income you have, what, how far your income can go. Um, and so, so, so that you know, the factors that play into your access to a job, a quality job that can provide you with those, um, funds for the, the necessities plus. 

Um, it, it, that is a, can be a major barrier. If you have any, any barriers that would play into your participation in the workforce, um, would be one. I mean, there's a whole array of others, but the relationship between access to, um, you know, a quality job and access to housing can't be understated.  

Rachel: Well, I think that's what's so interesting. 

We've talked to several other people where, um, the, the, the complexity of the issue is what makes it the most challenging to tackle.  

Jonathan: Yeah. It's not just, we don't have enough houses. Right. Let's build more. It's not just we don't  

Rachel: have enough affordable houses. It's also like, well, how many kids do you have? 

Do you have transportation? There's so many things. So complex. It's  

Jonathan: never one thing. It's multiple things that affect it. It's like  

Rachel: a piece of the pie.  

Sarah: I would say that, um, that housing supply is, is, um, is a significant issue. Uh, so, you know, it, it's not the only issue, but, um, when you're in a market that has limited supply, um, particularly in your, you know, In, in what you would be able to pay, right? 

When you break it down into, you know, units that are affordable to your, um, income level for your household, if the supply is limited, you know, that's going to, that's going to disrupt your access to housing and may even disrupt your access to, to a job, right? Um, if you can't find housing in the place where your job is, Okay. 

Either you're going to need to find another place to live, which may mean that you're in a completely different job network. Maybe you don't really know anyone in that affordable place that you may have, may not be able to have found, right? Um, and that's, that's going to disorient you in the work you've done to build your own, you know, job experience, career, what have you. 

Jonathan: So from your experience, What sort of policy changes, uh, would you like to see that you think would be effective and, um, steering us in the right direction?  

Sarah: You know, my job is not to tell people what policies to adopt. Um, it's, it's really to look at what can What, what could work, right? Um, and so, I think that there are a lot of approaches. 

It's not a silver bullet situation. I think that that, the research shows that there's no one thing. Um, I think. I so wish there was. I know, right? If we could just find the thing. Um, but, I, you know, I think that there's, there's been a lot of recent research that does look at, um, the need for greater housing supply. 

Um, and, and the kinds of. Of, um, the kinds of interventions that localities, states are trying to, to put into place to maybe incentivize the building of more housing, um, you know, construction is quite expensive. Um, it certainly got expensive during the pandemic, um, but even before that, uh, we were kind of, we were very much. 

You know, in a, in the need for more housing supply across across the board. So, um, so thinking about the ability to build units is an important thing to think about. Um, I think that. In addition, so, yeah, so exploring what are the barriers to the construction of housing where you are and. What are some practical ways to address those barriers? 

Um, now that has to be done in context. You have to really, I'm under, these are questions that are, that are very deeply locally rooted. So something that works for one city won't necessarily be able to be, you know, copied and pasted into the municipal code of another. City, you really do have to do engagement to understand, um, the local context and the effect that any given policy will have. 

Um, but so that's one thing, um, overall supply, but also thinking about supply for units that are, um, that are directly available. And earmarked for people that have a lower household income. Um, so some recent. Data diving that we've been doing on our team, um, is, is looking into, uh, you know, what income level households are occupying, what rent level units. 

And we do see that a lot of higher income households are occupying units with, with relative to them, to their income, lower rent. Um, and so, you know, for each of those units, you're, you're going to have, um, you know, that's, that's a unit that. You know, is technically affordable to somebody at a lower income, but isn't available to them. 

Right. Right. And so we, you know, I think it's important that we think about that spread and the, and the, um, apparent choices that people have made to, I guess, pay, you know, pay, pay less in rent, not everyone, but. Certainly a good number of people. So when you're thinking about the supply issue, you, you do want to also kind of understand, um, that, that just building units may not have the effect that building units specifically for, um, a lower income population could have. 

And making sure that they're available to those folks.  

Jonathan: I can just imagine our listeners thinking about housing and security. It's such a big issue.  

Rachel: Well, and they might even be dealing with it.  

Jonathan: Right. And like, I guess my last question for you is, what can a person do to help their community? Um, or a local organization, what can they do to help housing insecurity and help people who are experiencing housing insecurity? 

Um, what have you seen that's effective? Um, what do you recommend?  

Sarah: Well, I think there there's probably a whole lot and I'm certainly not going to like name the one. But I think one thing that really does make a difference is, um, is to be part of the conversation about housing and to, to, to be somebody who, who takes the conversation about housing out of the conversation. 

A realm of, you know, kind of not in my backyard or, and, and, and personalizes it right really look at when, when we talk about people who are lower income, when we look at the area, median income of folks who are low to moderate income, that's 0 to 80 percent area, median income in. In Atlanta, that's, I think that's like 86, 000 is the upper for a household annual income is the upper limit of that. 

So really, you know, helping people conceptualize really educating yourself and speaking up with others in your community to, to realize that this isn't a marginalized issue. Actually, some research I just did in the States that we cover, right? Six states that I mentioned that, um, that has shown that more renters in the low to moderate income band of income, uh, of income, that more of those renters are cost burdened than are. 

Affordable just across that, that entire band, right? So this is not an issue that is affecting only a small number of people. Um, or you, you can't imagine the one profile of a person who's dealing with this issue. This is, this is an issue that crosses every, every level of diversity that you could imagine. 

And being somebody in your community that really understands that, communicates it to others and, and, and makes it a priority for you in whatever ways you can, whatever, wherever you're involved. Um, I think that that, that could make a big difference. I think it has been in the past sort of a niche issue that certain people talk about and address. 

And. And it is not that, and it hasn't actually been for a while, a niche issue, but being part of the conversation that opens that up and realizes that this is, this cross cuts your community.  

Rachel: Yeah,  

Sarah: what we're trying to  

Rachel: get across in this whole podcast is this is not just an issue that's exclusive to people who are experiencing homelessness. 

So whether it's mental health we're talking about, whether it's addiction, um, whether it's economic hardships, we want people to connect to people. Um, and I think that what you're talking about is that's what you're saying is one of the most important things that we can do is this is not just an issue that's reserved for one type of person. 

Um, how does this issue affect all of us and how do we look at someone? And understand that there's a lot of power in the why so thank you so much for being with us today. Um, You're amazing. You're so smart. Um, I feel like we could talk for hours  

for sure  

Rachel: I feel like our listeners are gonna Learn so much from you. 

And, um, we're just really grateful that you were able to shine some light on what housing insecurity is, how you are working on that in all of these different states and how that affects our community. So thank you so much, Sarah. Thank you guys for hosting me and having this conversation. And thank you guys for listening today. 

We hope you tune in next time.  

Tensley: Thank you so much for listening and engaging with these challenging, yet vital conversations about mental health, addiction. Homelessness and trauma in our city facing these issues head on is how we ignite real transformation in Atlanta Thank you to our season sponsor the Scott Pryor Law Group the transformation You've heard wouldn't be possible without incredible partners like the Scott Pryor Law Group personal injury and accident attorneys Their compassion and dedication to our community fuel stories of transformation Just like these if you are injured in a semi truck or car accident call the Scott Pryor Law Group As a U. 

S. Marine, we fight and win for you. Our clients are family for life. We handle all types of injuries. You focus on healing, and we handle the rest. Now, if today's episode inspired you to take the next step, we would love to invite you to join the work that God is doing here. There are two really impactful ways for you to get involved. 

First, you can give financially to help us continue the work you heard about today. Second, you can volunteer your time by serving at one of our campuses. You can find all the ways to give and get involved at atlantamission. org. Thank you again for being part of this journey. Please join us next time as we uncover more powerful stories of hope and transformation.