ATLANTA — August 27, 2025— Our House, Inc., a leading Atlanta nonprofit dedicated to supporting families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, is proud to announce that it has been selected as the recipient of two extraordinary grants from the Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF): the Two-Generation Initiative and the Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award. These investments will expand Our House’s capacity to deliver critical services to women and girls experiencing homelessness and poverty across metro Atlanta.
“Our House has always centered women and children in our mission because they represent the overwhelming majority of families experiencing homelessness in Atlanta,” said Tyese Lawyer, Chief Executive Officer of Our House, Inc. “These grants allow us to scale our impact, reaching more women and girls with trauma-informed, family-focused support.”
Data from Our House underscores the urgency. Ninety-one percent of adults served are women, and children represent more than one-third of the total client population. These figures mirror a troubling local trend. A recent estimate counted 2,894 people experiencing homelessness in Atlanta, a 1% increase from the previous year. While chronic homelessness has declined nearly 10%, the number of families with children experiencing homelessness, primarily headed by women, has risen 14%.
AWF’s focus on wraparound, trauma-informed, and intergenerational support aligns with Our House’s model. Launched in 2023 with support from the Liz Blake Giving Fund, the Two-Generation Initiative prioritizes programs that uplift both young mothers and their children, reflecting AWF’s belief that supporting two generations produces transformative, long-term results. The Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award, made possible by Sue and John Wieland, provides $20,000 annually to nonprofits demonstrating extraordinary, holistic change for women and girls. Selection for both awards highlights Our House’s reputation as a trusted leader in delivering trauma-informed, comprehensive care to families in crisis.
“Our House was selected by AWF through a highly discerning invitation process, reflecting an acknowledgment of our proven track record delivering tangible outcomes for women and families,” added Lawyer. “We are thankful for their support, as these grants will deepen our ability to address root causes of homelessness, from health and education to housing and economic security.”
With the support of these new grants, Our House expects to serve approximately 2,000 clients during the 2025 program year.
Nationally, about one-third of people experiencing homeless in the U.S. are families, and among women, 65% of those with children under age 18 are unhoused alongside their children, compared with just 7% for men. This trend is often referred to as the “feminization of homelessness,” reflecting the impact of systemic gender inequities, including low wages, caregiving burdens, and unsafe housing; that often push women and their children into precarious situations.
“Now more than ever, the families we serve need support that meets them where they are,” said Lawyer. “With these grants, Our House can help ensure that Atlanta’s most vulnerable women and girls have access to the resources they need to not only survive but truly thrive.”
