Have you ever wondered where the homeless go when it gets too cold outside? In Atlanta, they have started to find refuge in the airport. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has a public terminal that is open for 24 hours a day. Over the years some homeless people have found shelter within this terminal. However, after a closure of a large shelter downtown and the increase of colder weather the airport has been used more as an escape from the cold. A number of newspapers have reported on how the homeless have been using public transportation to take them to the airport so they can find spots within the terminal. Frequent flyers have even begun to notice the increase of the homeless within the terminal. This has caused some to realize the amount of homeless that reside in the nearby areas. This increase of homeless has caused officials to take action. They have started to ask people to show boarding passes and if they do not have one then they are told that they are trespassing. A person interviewed about the increase of homeless at the airport shared her thoughts on the homeless who seek shelter in the terminal. She found it heartbreaking with the lows in the night being into the 30s that the homeless were inadequately dressed. She also found it as a negative reflection of the country. With so many people traveling into the country, one of the first things that they see is the influx of homeless seeking shelter is not something to be proud of. A spokesman for the airport commented on the fact that they are trying their best to find a long-term solution for those experiencing homelessness. They are promising to treat those who come in with humanity especially during these colder months. Others have found the fact that homeless have found shelter within the airport is a true reflection of what the state is facing with homelessness. It is important to remember that as states face these colder months a number of places have opened up to help those in need.
Citation:
“Atlanta’s Homeless Are Flocking to Airport Atrium Overnight .” U.S. News & World Report , 11 Feb. 2018, www.usnews.com/news/best-states/georgia/articles/2018-02-11/atlantas-homeless-are-flocking-to-airport-atrium-overnight.
Being from Southern California, I suppose I have never wondered where the homeless can find shelter during cold nights. Although, I have learned that in this past year, there was a higher homeless count in shelters because of the cold weather.
It is reassuring that there are those people who assist them in bad weather and treat them with humanity they deserve. I feel that if businesses or people are able to, they should help the homeless in any way. I am curious why other airports in the U.S. do not open their doors to the homeless, like Atlanta.