As Pulitzer-Winning Book Highlights Rise of Working Homelessness, Georgia Nonprofit Nears 1,000 Families Rehoused
As Pulitzer-Winning Book Highlights Rise of Working Homelessness, Georgia Nonprofit Nears 1,000 Families Rehoused
ATLANTA, Ga. – (May 20, 2026) A national spotlight is shining on a growing but often unseen crisis: working families experiencing homelessness.
This month, Brian Goldstone, author of There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America and St. Vincent de Paul Georgia’s 2025 event keynote speaker was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction for his reporting on the rise of working homelessness across the United States.
For St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, this story is deeply familiar.
“We’re thrilled that Brian is receiving national recognition for telling a timely and honest story that reflects what we’ve seen across Georgia in recent years,” said Mike Mies, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia. “Every day, we’re meeting families who are working full-time and still unable to access stable housing. This recognition affirms a growing reality: homelessness is no longer defined by unemployment. It’s increasingly about the loss of access to housing, even for families doing everything they can to stay afloat.”
The Hidden Reality in Georgia
Extended-stay motels—once intended for short-term lodging—have increasingly become long-term housing for families who have nowhere else to go. Many are employed, often working multiple jobs, but remain trapped by a system that is difficult to re-enter after an eviction.
High weekly rates, additional taxes, and limited tenant protections make it nearly impossible for families to save enough to secure permanent housing.
“Many of the families we serve are working—often multiple jobs—but once they enter an extended-stay motel, it becomes incredibly difficult to get back into traditional housing,” said Mariel Risner Sivley, Director of Housing Initiatives at St. Vincent de Paul Georgia. “Many families are working hard every day, but the cost of extended-stay living and barriers like prior evictions that prevent re-entry into the housing market create a cycle that’s incredibly difficult to escape.” What was once a short-term solution has become long-term housing for more families.”
A Local Response Gaining Momentum
In response, St. Vincent de Paul Georgia launched its Motel to Home program, a comprehensive rehousing initiative designed to help families transition from extended-stay motels into safe, stable housing.
This month, the organization expects to reach a significant milestone:
nearly 1,000 families rehoused through the program.
The model combines personalized, neighbor-to-neighbor support, financial assistance and housing navigation, partnerships with landlords and community providers, and ongoing support to help families remain stable.
The work is increasingly focused on a new reality: families with jobs, but no place to live.
Rachell, a former Motel to Home participant who exited an extended-stay motel nearly two years ago, recently reflected on her family’s journey:
“When my family became homeless and spent 68 days living in a motel, it was one of the hardest experiences we’ve ever faced. Motel to Home helped us rebuild stability, improve our financial habits, and move forward. Today, I have stable housing, a better job, and the tools to keep my family on track.”
A Shared Story, A Shared Purpose
Goldstone served as a keynote speaker at St. Vincent de Paul Georgia’s Morning of Hope event in September 2025, where his work resonated deeply with what staff and volunteers encounter every day.
“His reporting captures the dignity and resilience of the families we serve,” said Mies. “It also affirms that when we respond personally and early, stability is possible—and families can move forward.”
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About St. Vincent de Paul Georgia
Serving Georgia since 1903, St. Vincent de Paul Georgia is one of the state’s longest-standing, volunteer-driven organizations—built on a simple idea: neighbors helping neighbors. The organization provides housing, food, healthcare, and emergency financial assistance to more than 300,000 Georgians each year. Headquartered in Chamblee, it combines statewide programs with a strong local presence through a network of 3,500 Vincentian volunteers across the state. Learn more at svdpgeorgia.org.
