For many low-income families and individuals, extended-stay hotels have become a last-resort housing solution. Here’s why this issue demands attention:

National Overview:

* In 2022, over 100,000 students nationwide lived in extended-stay hotels—a number that is likely underestimated. (Chalkbeat)

Atlanta & Surrounding Areas:

* 40% of homeless students in some Atlanta-area counties live in extended-stay hotels. (Chalkbeat)

* An estimated 25,000 individuals, including working families, call metro Atlanta hotels their home. (AJC)

* In one DeKalb County elementary school, 37 children were reported to be living in nearby extended-stay hotels. (AJC)

Demographics & Challenges:

* 39% of families living in extended-stay hotels have children with them. (SVDP Georgia)

* Many families struggle to save for permanent housing due to the high cost of weekly hotel rates. (SVDP Georgia)

These numbers reflect real people—families trying to break the cycle of temporary housing, parents fighting for stability, individuals striving for a fresh start.