Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights Co-Chair Phil Cuffey said, “We are here to send a message to our leaders in the city of Decatur, the Commissioners of DeKalb County and especially CEO Michael Thurmond. To Mr. Thurmond, we want to say wake up. We have four demands we want to be crystal clear about. We want DeKalb County to open more warming centers, we want them to provide at least 48-hour notification when these centers will be open, we want to increase the wraparound services to help our neighbors get back on their feet and we understand that there are over 300 individuals that are on the waiting list for shelter. We want those individuals to be served as they should be.” Photo by Dean Hesse.

Timothy McDonald, III, Sr. Pastor of the Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta speaks during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Rev. Dr. Lisa Heilig, Executive Director at Toco Hills Community Alliance, speaks during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Around 50 people gathered on the greenspace at Commerce Drive and W. Trinity Place in downtown Decatur for the House the Unhoused Now! protest on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

During the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022, Robert spoke of his experience living on the streets and utilizing the resources offered to him by Sycamore House. “Even though I had a job I still had to sleep outside, didn’t know where I’m going to go, how I was going to eat, how I was going to a take a bath. I look at myself and thank God. I’m not on the streets anymore. I helped myself and let them help me,” Robert said. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Rev. Paul M. Turner speaks during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Around 50 people gathered on the greenspace at Commerce Drive and W. Trinity Place in downtown Decatur for the House the Unhoused Now protest on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Civil rights attorney and advocate and Executive Director of CAIR-Georgia, Murtaza Khwaja speaks during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Leanne Rubenstein, Co-Director of Compassionate Atlanta speaks during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights Co-Chair Mawuli Davis speaks during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Davis said, “One thing we should always be clear about, nothing moves without a demand and without the people. It never has. Anything you have seen done in this community and communities across this country has been because people just like us said enough is enough. And so, you are here as witnesses that enough is enough.” Photo by Dean Hesse.

Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights Co-Chair Mawuli Davis speaks during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Rev. Dee Harrison from Spirit and Truth Sanctuary in Decatur speaks during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Rev. Paul M. Turner (l) and Rev. Dr. James Brewer-Calvert to his left, listen to speakers during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Three red pins on a map indicate the location of DeKalb’s only three warming centers, all located on the south side of the county. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Scott Overcarsh points a sign toward the street during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Around 50 people gathered on the greenspace at Commerce Drive and W. Trinity Place in downtown Decatur for the House the Unhoused Now! protest on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Timothy McDonald, III, Sr. Pastor of the Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta speaks during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Rev. Dr. James Brewer-Calvert from First Christian Church of Decatur speaks during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Around 50 people gathered on the greenspace at Commerce Drive and W. Trinity Place in downtown Decatur for the House the Unhoused Now! protest on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Around 50 people gathered on the greenspace at Commerce Drive and W. Trinity Place in downtown Decatur for the House the Unhoused Now! protest on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Heather Hutton, At-Large Member of National Coalition for the Homeless, holds a sign during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Around 50 people gathered on the greenspace at Commerce Drive and W. Trinity Place in downtown Decatur for the House the Unhoused Now! protest on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Heather Hutton, At-Large Member of National Coalition for the Homeless points signs toward the street during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Donated items for unhoused residents are gathered during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights Co-Chair Fonta High, on right, holds a banner during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Six-year-old Joe Harris speaks into the microphone during the House the Unhoused Now! protest in downtown Decatur on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. “I want people to be nice. Help each other, please,” Joe said. Photo by Dean Hesse.

Around 50 people gathered on the greenspace at Commerce Drive and W. Trinity Place in downtown Decatur for the House the Unhoused Now! protest on Weds. Feb. 9, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.