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Why We Do It

“Me coming to the Davies Shelter was a blessing since I’ve been here. I’ve learned how to make it day by day and how to manage money and put into savings and also learned stability to do it on my own. And being here makes me want to keep accomplishing my goals like my GED, forklift and OSHA training. And I also love all the staff here. They are so sweet and push me to want to do better. So I’m gonna keep on growing. “

“I have experienced growth in the house and myself with the other women who have encouraged and supported each other in their setbacks, goals and achievements. The staff continues each week to sit down with me weekly and address any concerns that I have and cares about my progress”

“Thank you William S Davies Shelter for bringing me in. I was lost and going through a separation. I lost all confidence and this place put all that back in me with the help they gave me. I found a job and am living again with strong belief that I can do anything if you believe in yourself. Once again, thank you! It means the world to me! This place has been the best!”

“I would be homeless and on the stree if it wasn’t for William Davies Shelter. Since staying at the shelter I have gotten VA benefits started and working on HUD housing. I’ve also filed for social security with their help. Thank God for the shelter!”

“The Davies Shelter has done so much for me. It has given me a place to live so I would not be on the street. The shelter is a life changing experience because I used to do real hard drugs and now I can honestly say that they can’t take control over me anymore. Thanks to the Davies Shelters I can have a meal to eat because people donate food for us people here. The shelter is the best thing in my life. I really thank you for caring so much about me as well as others. Thanks again and God Bless You all that participate in its well being.”

Housing insecurity is a problem for many in Rome.

Over 11% of households in Rome are extremely low income, living on less than $15,264 per year. 100% of these lowest income neighbors are housing cost-burdened, and 56% are extremely cost-burdened, meaning over half their income goes to rent or a mortgage. All of these lowest income neighbors are one emergency away from homelessness.

29%

Of All Households Are Cost Burdened

Income for Extremely Low Income Households

14%

Of All Households Are Extremely Cost Burdened

15%

Of All Households Are Food Insecure

Floyd County does not have enough capacity to meet the needs of those already experiencing homelessness.

The Davies Shelters conducted the 2019 Point in Time Homelessness Count in coordination with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in January 2019 and identified 212 people experiencing homelessness on that night – 156 of whom were living on the street. Rome has a total of 69 available homeless shelter beds including the Davies Shelters – far less than enough to meet the needs of the 200+ people experiencing homelessness on any given night in Rome.

212

Total Homeless Neighbors at 2019 Point In Time Count

69

Total Beds Available at Shelters In Floyd County

Most people assume that securing a job and housing are all people need to escape homelessness.

Unfortunately, maintaining a job and independent housing remains near impossible until other basic needs can be met.

People experiencing homelessness may need a safe and secure environment, mental health treatment, physical healthcare, substance misuse treatment, and a safety net in order to achieve long-term employment and housing stability.

Another reality of homelessness is that our nieghbors nearest the bottom of the economic ladder are still impacted by larger economic trends

When the job market is tight, someone escaping homelessness will have a much harder time finding a job – especially with big gaps in their employment history or a criminal record. When the housing market is tight, someone escaping homelessness will have a much harder time finding affordable housing – especially with no rental history or a criminal record.
These trends are usually correlated. When everyone is hiring and guests can find good employment easily (like in 2021), it is virtually impossible to secure an affordable rental. When rental prices are down and affordable housing is readily available (like in the early 2010’s), employers are much more selective and guests have a difficult time finding work.