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He was bulldozed to death when Atlanta cleared his homeless camp. Will there ever be justice? He was bulldozed to death when Atlanta cleared his homeless camp. Will there ever be justice?
(about 4 hours later)
After Cornelius Taylor’s death, the city made promises to change its homelessness policy – but his friends say it didn’t follow throughAfter Cornelius Taylor’s death, the city made promises to change its homelessness policy – but his friends say it didn’t follow through
For the first time since she stopped calling it home, Lolita Griffeth set foot on Old Wheat Street, tucked behind Atlanta’s historic Auburn Avenue.For the first time since she stopped calling it home, Lolita Griffeth set foot on Old Wheat Street, tucked behind Atlanta’s historic Auburn Avenue.
She gingerly walked down the alley, leaning on her walker, and pointed.She gingerly walked down the alley, leaning on her walker, and pointed.
Here, she said, was where the tent she shared with her fiance once stood.Here, she said, was where the tent she shared with her fiance once stood.
There, she said, was where Cornelius Taylor died last January, crushed inside their home when a front loader came to clear the homeless encampment.There, she said, was where Cornelius Taylor died last January, crushed inside their home when a front loader came to clear the homeless encampment.
Above the spot, a metal city sign said: “It is unlawful for any person to camp, store personal property or interfere with the flow of traffic on streets, sidewalks, and/or other right-of-way.” Under the words, drawings of a tent and a bundle of clothes were slashed through.Above the spot, a metal city sign said: “It is unlawful for any person to camp, store personal property or interfere with the flow of traffic on streets, sidewalks, and/or other right-of-way.” Under the words, drawings of a tent and a bundle of clothes were slashed through.
Griffeth, tall, with gray blooming in her cropped curls, moved slowly; a stroke three years ago had weakened her right side. Grief hung densely over her.Griffeth, tall, with gray blooming in her cropped curls, moved slowly; a stroke three years ago had weakened her right side. Grief hung densely over her.
Old Wheat Street itself is unremarkable now: two blocks long, empty save for parked cars, the clang of construction at one end and a new shiny housing complex rising over the alley. But in 1956, Auburn Avenue – which it runs parallel to – was dubbed “the richest Negro street in the world”, home to Black-owned banks, newspapers and funeral homes until a highway cut it in two, an urban planning decision that decimated the flourishing Black community.Old Wheat Street itself is unremarkable now: two blocks long, empty save for parked cars, the clang of construction at one end and a new shiny housing complex rising over the alley. But in 1956, Auburn Avenue – which it runs parallel to – was dubbed “the richest Negro street in the world”, home to Black-owned banks, newspapers and funeral homes until a highway cut it in two, an urban planning decision that decimated the flourishing Black community.
Over a decade ago, a homeless encampment blossomed on the alley behind it, which eventually lined both of its sides with multicolored tents and was home to a rotating cast of more than two dozen people.Over a decade ago, a homeless encampment blossomed on the alley behind it, which eventually lined both of its sides with multicolored tents and was home to a rotating cast of more than two dozen people.
Today, nothing is left. The encampment had been erased. Griffeth swatted at the late-August mosquitoes and slowly walked away.Today, nothing is left. The encampment had been erased. Griffeth swatted at the late-August mosquitoes and slowly walked away.
At 9am on 16 January, a front loader weighing five tons rolled into the alley. Police, flanked by the department of public works and staff from the non-profit SafeHouse Outreach, followed close behind.At 9am on 16 January, a front loader weighing five tons rolled into the alley. Police, flanked by the department of public works and staff from the non-profit SafeHouse Outreach, followed close behind.
The city, citing complaints, had ordered the homeless encampment “decommissioned”– just four days before Martin Luther King Jr Day celebrations less than a block away.The city, citing complaints, had ordered the homeless encampment “decommissioned”– just four days before Martin Luther King Jr Day celebrations less than a block away.
Witnesses say the sweep felt rushed. A woman shouted at the front loader’s driver as he rumbled down the alley from the east end. Just yards away stood Martin Luther King’s birthplace and the white marble tombs of him and Coretta Scott King.Witnesses say the sweep felt rushed. A woman shouted at the front loader’s driver as he rumbled down the alley from the east end. Just yards away stood Martin Luther King’s birthplace and the white marble tombs of him and Coretta Scott King.
The front loader’s bucket screeched against the pavement as it bore down on the first of four tents, red and white with a blue tarp draped across the back.The front loader’s bucket screeched against the pavement as it bore down on the first of four tents, red and white with a blue tarp draped across the back.
Cornelius was inside, unaware of what was unfolding. Only after people started screaming did the front loader stop moving forward – but it was too late.Cornelius was inside, unaware of what was unfolding. Only after people started screaming did the front loader stop moving forward – but it was too late.
At first, the police tried to claim in a report that Taylor was not badly injured, that he only had a “bloody nose” with no other “obvious signs of physical hurt”. Instead, they speculated that he had died of a drug overdose. But Taylor was already dead by the time an ambulance arrived.At first, the police tried to claim in a report that Taylor was not badly injured, that he only had a “bloody nose” with no other “obvious signs of physical hurt”. Instead, they speculated that he had died of a drug overdose. But Taylor was already dead by the time an ambulance arrived.
The autopsy report, released 10 weeks later, found he died of blunt force trauma; his spleen and liver had been lacerated and his pelvis was cracked in half. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and other city officials did not respond to requests for comment.The autopsy report, released 10 weeks later, found he died of blunt force trauma; his spleen and liver had been lacerated and his pelvis was cracked in half. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and other city officials did not respond to requests for comment.
The street that was left behind was stained red. “The first image that comes to my mind is murder and blood,” recalled Alan Hall, a former encampment resident and close friend of Taylor’s. The street that was left behind was stained red. “The first image that comes to my mind is murder and blood,” recalled Allen Hall, a former encampment resident and close friend of Taylor’s.
Tim Franzen, who runs the Atlanta Economic Justice Program at American Friends Service Committee, arrived on the scene a few hours after it happened. Grimly, he said there was “a lot of Cornelius” left on the street. When Griffeth later looked through Taylor’s belongings, she found pants with bits of his organs still in them.Tim Franzen, who runs the Atlanta Economic Justice Program at American Friends Service Committee, arrived on the scene a few hours after it happened. Grimly, he said there was “a lot of Cornelius” left on the street. When Griffeth later looked through Taylor’s belongings, she found pants with bits of his organs still in them.
Taylor’s death unfolded at the exact moment national policy shifted away even further from housing the homeless toward criminalization.Taylor’s death unfolded at the exact moment national policy shifted away even further from housing the homeless toward criminalization.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (Hud) counted more homeless people last year than ever before – up 18% in just 12 months. Over a quarter of a million people now live entirely outdoors, a 7% jump from 2023.The Department of Housing and Urban Development (Hud) counted more homeless people last year than ever before – up 18% in just 12 months. Over a quarter of a million people now live entirely outdoors, a 7% jump from 2023.
As homelessness has increased, lawmakers across the country – from both parties – have turned their backs on efforts to find housing solutions. Instead, they picked up the criminalization playbook, focusing on making it illegal to sleep outside.As homelessness has increased, lawmakers across the country – from both parties – have turned their backs on efforts to find housing solutions. Instead, they picked up the criminalization playbook, focusing on making it illegal to sleep outside.
That has become the “dominant” approach, said Maria Foscarinis, founder of the National Homelessness Law Center. The forced clearing of encampments is a tool to enforce this worldview.That has become the “dominant” approach, said Maria Foscarinis, founder of the National Homelessness Law Center. The forced clearing of encampments is a tool to enforce this worldview.
Last year, the supreme court issued a decision that it is not cruel and unusual punishment to ban sleeping outside even if there are no indoor spaces available. The floodgates were opened, and more than 320 bills criminalizing homelessness were introduced across the country; nearly 220 have passed.Last year, the supreme court issued a decision that it is not cruel and unusual punishment to ban sleeping outside even if there are no indoor spaces available. The floodgates were opened, and more than 320 bills criminalizing homelessness were introduced across the country; nearly 220 have passed.
The phenomenon has taken root in Democratic and Republican communities alike. California had already turned to involuntary commitment for people living on the street; after the supreme court decision, Governor Gavin Newsom focused on forcing cities to clear homeless encampments. New York City, which at one time pledged to end veteran homelessness, conducted 2,300 encampment sweeps between January and September at a cost of $3.5m.The phenomenon has taken root in Democratic and Republican communities alike. California had already turned to involuntary commitment for people living on the street; after the supreme court decision, Governor Gavin Newsom focused on forcing cities to clear homeless encampments. New York City, which at one time pledged to end veteran homelessness, conducted 2,300 encampment sweeps between January and September at a cost of $3.5m.
Now Donald Trump’s administration is taking things even further. In July, he signed an executive order calling to make it easier for states to clear homeless encampments and force people into drug and mental health treatment. It also called for cutting funding for housing first, an approach that prioritizes putting people in housing and then addressing other needs they may have. (Housing first has been proved to be the most effective approach to homelessness.)Now Donald Trump’s administration is taking things even further. In July, he signed an executive order calling to make it easier for states to clear homeless encampments and force people into drug and mental health treatment. It also called for cutting funding for housing first, an approach that prioritizes putting people in housing and then addressing other needs they may have. (Housing first has been proved to be the most effective approach to homelessness.)
“There’s nothing in the executive order that will help people,” said Jesse Rabinowitz, who directs the Housing Not Handcuffs campaign. “No funding for housing, no funding for additional services. It will only make homelessness worse.”“There’s nothing in the executive order that will help people,” said Jesse Rabinowitz, who directs the Housing Not Handcuffs campaign. “No funding for housing, no funding for additional services. It will only make homelessness worse.”
In August, Trump sent the national guard into Washington DC, in part to clear homeless camps.In August, Trump sent the national guard into Washington DC, in part to clear homeless camps.
These kinds of policies, and the focus on getting homeless people out of sight, are what homeless people in Atlanta and their allies say killed Taylor.These kinds of policies, and the focus on getting homeless people out of sight, are what homeless people in Atlanta and their allies say killed Taylor.
“The way that I describe what killed him was not a guy driving a back loader,” Franzen said. “It was years of bad policy that was driving that thing.”“The way that I describe what killed him was not a guy driving a back loader,” Franzen said. “It was years of bad policy that was driving that thing.”
I met Derek Chaney, Taylor’s younger brother, by the basketball courts in DeKalb Memorial Park, in East Atlanta, on a humid summer morning.I met Derek Chaney, Taylor’s younger brother, by the basketball courts in DeKalb Memorial Park, in East Atlanta, on a humid summer morning.
An imposing man with a freckled nose and soft voice, he wore a shirt with Taylor’s face and “Justice for Cornelius Taylor” written on it.An imposing man with a freckled nose and soft voice, he wore a shirt with Taylor’s face and “Justice for Cornelius Taylor” written on it.
Growing up near the park, Derek shot hoops on its courts while his younger brother Taylor, inspired by action films, practiced karate he had taught himself; their mother couldn’t afford classes.Growing up near the park, Derek shot hoops on its courts while his younger brother Taylor, inspired by action films, practiced karate he had taught himself; their mother couldn’t afford classes.
Catherine Chaney adopted Taylor as a baby from her niece, and as one of the first grandchildren he quickly became everyone’s favorite. Family albums are filled with him in new outfits. Catherine, with help from her mother, raised Cornelius, Derek, and their sister Darlene while working full-time. “Even if money got tight, we were always fed,” Darlene said. “We were rich in love.”Catherine Chaney adopted Taylor as a baby from her niece, and as one of the first grandchildren he quickly became everyone’s favorite. Family albums are filled with him in new outfits. Catherine, with help from her mother, raised Cornelius, Derek, and their sister Darlene while working full-time. “Even if money got tight, we were always fed,” Darlene said. “We were rich in love.”
Taylor was brilliant, skipping grades and helping his two younger siblings do their math homework. He also loved art, and drew so well that Darlene often thought he had traced the images. Derek thinks that, had he had opportunities to keep focusing on art, Taylor would have gravitated toward that instead of drugs.Taylor was brilliant, skipping grades and helping his two younger siblings do their math homework. He also loved art, and drew so well that Darlene often thought he had traced the images. Derek thinks that, had he had opportunities to keep focusing on art, Taylor would have gravitated toward that instead of drugs.
Just before eighth grade, Taylor visited his biological mother in the countryside, lured by the promise of a new bike that never materialized. She was on drugs, Darlene said, and made Taylor steal food for them. He said other things happened that were not right, but Darlene could not be sure what really occurred. “He had to grow up too fast and he saw things he’d never seen before,” Darlene said. After that visit, “things went haywire,” she said. “One thing can change the trajectory of your entire life.”Just before eighth grade, Taylor visited his biological mother in the countryside, lured by the promise of a new bike that never materialized. She was on drugs, Darlene said, and made Taylor steal food for them. He said other things happened that were not right, but Darlene could not be sure what really occurred. “He had to grow up too fast and he saw things he’d never seen before,” Darlene said. After that visit, “things went haywire,” she said. “One thing can change the trajectory of your entire life.”
She watched as her older brothers’ lives diverged. Derek got more into sports; Taylor started running with a different crowd. Derek graduated from a high school near Emory University. Taylor dropped out in 10th grade. That created tension with their mother, who insisted on the importance of education and wanted him to follow her rules, but “he just wanted to be his own man,” Darlene said. He began spending stints of time out of their house, eventually landing in jail for low-level crimes like breaking into cars.She watched as her older brothers’ lives diverged. Derek got more into sports; Taylor started running with a different crowd. Derek graduated from a high school near Emory University. Taylor dropped out in 10th grade. That created tension with their mother, who insisted on the importance of education and wanted him to follow her rules, but “he just wanted to be his own man,” Darlene said. He began spending stints of time out of their house, eventually landing in jail for low-level crimes like breaking into cars.
He began experiencing manic episodes, riding high on a wave of energy and then crashing into lows that made him angry and “explosive”, Darlene said. He would speak so abrasively to their mother and grandmother he seemed like a completely different person. In his late teens, Taylor was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.He began experiencing manic episodes, riding high on a wave of energy and then crashing into lows that made him angry and “explosive”, Darlene said. He would speak so abrasively to their mother and grandmother he seemed like a completely different person. In his late teens, Taylor was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
At 22, Taylor became a father and he and his girlfriend moved into their mother’s house. But a year later, their mother died of cancer only months after the diagnosis.At 22, Taylor became a father and he and his girlfriend moved into their mother’s house. But a year later, their mother died of cancer only months after the diagnosis.
After that, Taylor’s stretches of sleeping on the streets grew longer. “She was his anchor, and he lost his anchor,” Darlene said. “That sent him over the edge.”After that, Taylor’s stretches of sleeping on the streets grew longer. “She was his anchor, and he lost his anchor,” Darlene said. “That sent him over the edge.”
Taylor was born in 1978, just as America’s modern homelessness crisis was taking shape.Taylor was born in 1978, just as America’s modern homelessness crisis was taking shape.
In the 1970s, America still had a surplus of affordable housing. That ended under Reaganism, as deep spending cuts to public housing unfolded while cities demolished cheap housing stock.In the 1970s, America still had a surplus of affordable housing. That ended under Reaganism, as deep spending cuts to public housing unfolded while cities demolished cheap housing stock.
Today, only one in four eligible households actually get federal housing help, and the country is short 3.7m units.Today, only one in four eligible households actually get federal housing help, and the country is short 3.7m units.
Laws that made it illegal to panhandle, sleep outside or even lie down on a sidewalk became more popular in the 1990s as mass homelessness took hold. It “emerged as the quick fix response”, said Foscarinis, the founder of the National Homelessness Law Center.Laws that made it illegal to panhandle, sleep outside or even lie down on a sidewalk became more popular in the 1990s as mass homelessness took hold. It “emerged as the quick fix response”, said Foscarinis, the founder of the National Homelessness Law Center.
At the same time, encampments grew more common, particularly in the wake of the 2008 foreclosure crisis. “People are homeless for longer periods of time, and that is more likely to lead to encampments,” Foscarinis said. By one count, the number of camps nationwide grew 1,342% between 2007 and 2016.At the same time, encampments grew more common, particularly in the wake of the 2008 foreclosure crisis. “People are homeless for longer periods of time, and that is more likely to lead to encampments,” Foscarinis said. By one count, the number of camps nationwide grew 1,342% between 2007 and 2016.
For a time, housing the unhoused was a bipartisan priority. Efforts to address the problem were made by President George W Bush and continued with President Barack Obama, whose administration released the first federal plan to prevent and end homelessness. It set ambitious targets: ending chronic and veteran homelessness by 2015, and family and youth homelessness by 2020. Cities, including Atlanta, pledged to meet the federal goals and some even claimed victory.For a time, housing the unhoused was a bipartisan priority. Efforts to address the problem were made by President George W Bush and continued with President Barack Obama, whose administration released the first federal plan to prevent and end homelessness. It set ambitious targets: ending chronic and veteran homelessness by 2015, and family and youth homelessness by 2020. Cities, including Atlanta, pledged to meet the federal goals and some even claimed victory.
“During those years, we never had to convince lawmakers to care about homelessness,” said Marcy Thompson, vice-president of programs and policy at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, who worked at Hud under Bush and Obama. Even so, that era’s promises were never coupled with enough money to turn them into a widespread reality.“During those years, we never had to convince lawmakers to care about homelessness,” said Marcy Thompson, vice-president of programs and policy at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, who worked at Hud under Bush and Obama. Even so, that era’s promises were never coupled with enough money to turn them into a widespread reality.
During the pandemic, emergency vouchers, eviction moratoria and putting homeless people in hotels pushed numbers down. But those lifelines ended, and Democrats’ Build Back Better plan – which advocates say could have driven homelessness down to unprecedented lows – failed in Congress.During the pandemic, emergency vouchers, eviction moratoria and putting homeless people in hotels pushed numbers down. But those lifelines ended, and Democrats’ Build Back Better plan – which advocates say could have driven homelessness down to unprecedented lows – failed in Congress.
Soon, housing prices – and general inflation – began to soar. Rent has risen 23% since 2001, while wages only grew 5%. The combination meant a lot more people ended up unhoused, including in places that had not experienced visible homelessness before. Donald Whitehead, the executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, said “it put homelessness in the public view in a way that we hadn’t seen it in a very long time.”Soon, housing prices – and general inflation – began to soar. Rent has risen 23% since 2001, while wages only grew 5%. The combination meant a lot more people ended up unhoused, including in places that had not experienced visible homelessness before. Donald Whitehead, the executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, said “it put homelessness in the public view in a way that we hadn’t seen it in a very long time.”
The increase has overwhelmed local governments, who do not have the funding or housing stock to meet the need. In response, elected officials have searched for ways to “make homelessness less visible or to make the problem go away”, Thompson said, so they turn to “quick fixes”.The increase has overwhelmed local governments, who do not have the funding or housing stock to meet the need. In response, elected officials have searched for ways to “make homelessness less visible or to make the problem go away”, Thompson said, so they turn to “quick fixes”.
Conservative thinktanks seized the moment. The Cicero Institute, created by venture capitalist Joe Lonsdale, pushed model laws in state and local governments to crack down on unsheltered homeless people. It even filed a brief in the supreme court case in favor of cities being allowed to criminalize encampments. (Georgia enacted a law in 2023 based on a Cicero template.) The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 went further, calling for the elimination of the “housing first” approach altogether.Conservative thinktanks seized the moment. The Cicero Institute, created by venture capitalist Joe Lonsdale, pushed model laws in state and local governments to crack down on unsheltered homeless people. It even filed a brief in the supreme court case in favor of cities being allowed to criminalize encampments. (Georgia enacted a law in 2023 based on a Cicero template.) The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 went further, calling for the elimination of the “housing first” approach altogether.
These solutions are “tempting”, Thompson said, because it feels like something lawmakers can actually do. Creating enough affordable housing, on the other hand, is expensive and takes years.These solutions are “tempting”, Thompson said, because it feels like something lawmakers can actually do. Creating enough affordable housing, on the other hand, is expensive and takes years.
Darlene and Taylor drifted apart after their mother died. But when she returned to Atlanta after attending Howard University, they reconnected and stayed close. He called Darlene a few times a week and on every Sunday, without fail. He rarely had a phone of his own; Darlene picked up any number that called in case it was him. Even when he was living on the street, Darlene knew he would show up if she needed him.Darlene and Taylor drifted apart after their mother died. But when she returned to Atlanta after attending Howard University, they reconnected and stayed close. He called Darlene a few times a week and on every Sunday, without fail. He rarely had a phone of his own; Darlene picked up any number that called in case it was him. Even when he was living on the street, Darlene knew he would show up if she needed him.
Griffeth had boyfriends on the street who beat her. Eight years ago, one of them slapped her so hard she blacked out. Taylor stepped in, pulled her back, and helped her recover. After that, she said, they shared a look that only the two of them understood. “I looked at Psycho [his street name], he looked at me, and from then on, we always had that little look,” she said.Griffeth had boyfriends on the street who beat her. Eight years ago, one of them slapped her so hard she blacked out. Taylor stepped in, pulled her back, and helped her recover. After that, she said, they shared a look that only the two of them understood. “I looked at Psycho [his street name], he looked at me, and from then on, we always had that little look,” she said.
Taylor was her protector; Griffeth called him “Bear”. He was funny and loved to laugh. “It came from the pit of his soul,” Darlene said. “His smile just lit up the room.”Taylor was her protector; Griffeth called him “Bear”. He was funny and loved to laugh. “It came from the pit of his soul,” Darlene said. “His smile just lit up the room.”
Hall, Taylor’s close friend, said Taylor always had a joke to tell. He had been “in the trenches” with him for most of his years of being unhoused, and they looked out for each other. Hall still wears a thick, metal bracelet and gold chain necklace that Taylor gave him. “He’s like a biological brother to me. He’s more family to me than my own biological family,” he said. “He had a big heart.”Hall, Taylor’s close friend, said Taylor always had a joke to tell. He had been “in the trenches” with him for most of his years of being unhoused, and they looked out for each other. Hall still wears a thick, metal bracelet and gold chain necklace that Taylor gave him. “He’s like a biological brother to me. He’s more family to me than my own biological family,” he said. “He had a big heart.”
Gus Hendricks, who lived on Old Wheat Street and was also Taylor’s friend, saw the same thing. Although living on the streets made Taylor form an “outer shell” that was “kind of hard and thick”. On the inside though, Hendricks said, he was “very caring”.Gus Hendricks, who lived on Old Wheat Street and was also Taylor’s friend, saw the same thing. Although living on the streets made Taylor form an “outer shell” that was “kind of hard and thick”. On the inside though, Hendricks said, he was “very caring”.
Taylor still loved making art; he made a big, colorful Thanksgiving sign for Remerge, a non-profit on Auburn Avenue that offers free coffee, food and activities for the unhoused, said Sylvia Broome, one of Remerge’s volunteers. He rapped and freestyled. He probed Broome with deep questions about the Bible. One of the last conversations they had was trying to answer a question he posed: is it possible to be perfect as, the Bible says: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect”?Taylor still loved making art; he made a big, colorful Thanksgiving sign for Remerge, a non-profit on Auburn Avenue that offers free coffee, food and activities for the unhoused, said Sylvia Broome, one of Remerge’s volunteers. He rapped and freestyled. He probed Broome with deep questions about the Bible. One of the last conversations they had was trying to answer a question he posed: is it possible to be perfect as, the Bible says: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect”?
“If Cornelius had help, they would have seen a very talented man that perhaps would have made a contribution for the betterment of society,” Hall said.“If Cornelius had help, they would have seen a very talented man that perhaps would have made a contribution for the betterment of society,” Hall said.
But Taylor also continued to experience his manic highs, going days without sleep – as well as his lows, when he would suddenly be filled with rage and want to be left alone. There were times he couldn’t “contain it”, Hall said, and would start smashing windows and sidewalks with metal pipes. It’s what gave him the street name Psycho.But Taylor also continued to experience his manic highs, going days without sleep – as well as his lows, when he would suddenly be filled with rage and want to be left alone. There were times he couldn’t “contain it”, Hall said, and would start smashing windows and sidewalks with metal pipes. It’s what gave him the street name Psycho.
“It was crazy, but we loved each other,” Griffeth said. “It was crazy love.”“It was crazy, but we loved each other,” Griffeth said. “It was crazy love.”
Taylor had tried a few times over the years to get off the street and into housing, but it was never simple. He needed identification, but obtaining that and holding on to it, was a complicated task. Without showers and clean clothes, he struggled to get a job. And to maintain a job, he would need to stay on his medications, but he did not have regular access to a doctor.Taylor had tried a few times over the years to get off the street and into housing, but it was never simple. He needed identification, but obtaining that and holding on to it, was a complicated task. Without showers and clean clothes, he struggled to get a job. And to maintain a job, he would need to stay on his medications, but he did not have regular access to a doctor.
At one point, Taylor got a spot in a large shelter, but residents had to leave early each morning and could not return until evening. Another room opened for him in Decatur, five miles (8km) from the downtown camp where his community lived, but it came with the same rigid hours – and Taylor feared being picked up by police for loitering if he lingered outside during the day.At one point, Taylor got a spot in a large shelter, but residents had to leave early each morning and could not return until evening. Another room opened for him in Decatur, five miles (8km) from the downtown camp where his community lived, but it came with the same rigid hours – and Taylor feared being picked up by police for loitering if he lingered outside during the day.
Darlene made it clear that when he was able to get clean, when he was really ready for a change, she would be there to help him and even house him. But she knew he had to be the one to decide to change his life.Darlene made it clear that when he was able to get clean, when he was really ready for a change, she would be there to help him and even house him. But she knew he had to be the one to decide to change his life.
Just before his death, he seemed ready. Late last year, he met Derek’s oldest daughter for the first time and promised her he would come to one of her basketball games when the season started. Darlene could tell he was taking his medications. He began to ask about his son more often. “He told me he wanted to be a better brother, wanted to be an uncle, wanted to be a dad, wanted to be present in all of this,” Darlene said.Just before his death, he seemed ready. Late last year, he met Derek’s oldest daughter for the first time and promised her he would come to one of her basketball games when the season started. Darlene could tell he was taking his medications. He began to ask about his son more often. “He told me he wanted to be a better brother, wanted to be an uncle, wanted to be a dad, wanted to be present in all of this,” Darlene said.
Griffeth saw it too. Right before he died, the two of them had decided to finally get married. “We didn’t know how we’re going to do it, but we were going to do it,” she said.Griffeth saw it too. Right before he died, the two of them had decided to finally get married. “We didn’t know how we’re going to do it, but we were going to do it,” she said.
The day before his death, he told Broome he had a line on a job. “He was just very optimistic and feeling good that day,” she said. He told Darlene it was a job at a church – she thinks it was doing construction or working in a kitchen. Anything, he had said, to get the funds to move off the street. He wanted Darlene to help him manage his money. He was talking about getting his own place and decorating it.The day before his death, he told Broome he had a line on a job. “He was just very optimistic and feeling good that day,” she said. He told Darlene it was a job at a church – she thinks it was doing construction or working in a kitchen. Anything, he had said, to get the funds to move off the street. He wanted Darlene to help him manage his money. He was talking about getting his own place and decorating it.
It was different from what she had seen before, Darlene said. It seemed real this time. “He knew there was more life to live,” she said. “He was trying to make the steps to come off of the streets. But I guess he couldn’t get those steps fast enough.”It was different from what she had seen before, Darlene said. It seemed real this time. “He knew there was more life to live,” she said. “He was trying to make the steps to come off of the streets. But I guess he couldn’t get those steps fast enough.”
Griffeth was not in town on 16 January; she had left to try to secure housing for both of them. When she came back, someone on the street asked if she was Psycho’s girlfriend. When she said she was, he replied: “Well, you know, he got killed,” she recalled.Griffeth was not in town on 16 January; she had left to try to secure housing for both of them. When she came back, someone on the street asked if she was Psycho’s girlfriend. When she said she was, he replied: “Well, you know, he got killed,” she recalled.
At first she did not believe it. She thought it was a joke. But then she spoke to other people, who all confirmed the same thing: Taylor was dead.At first she did not believe it. She thought it was a joke. But then she spoke to other people, who all confirmed the same thing: Taylor was dead.
Darlene and Derek were celebrating Darlene’s birthday in a cabin outside the city when, early the morning of 17 January, she looked at her phone and saw a voicemail. She read the transcription her phone had made and saw the words “brother” and “dead”. It was Griffeth.Darlene and Derek were celebrating Darlene’s birthday in a cabin outside the city when, early the morning of 17 January, she looked at her phone and saw a voicemail. She read the transcription her phone had made and saw the words “brother” and “dead”. It was Griffeth.
Fighting tears that rolled down his cheeks, Derek recalled how he called Griffeth over and over again until he finally reached her and she told him what she knew. The siblings searched the news and found stories about a homeless man who had been killed in an encampment clearing. “I didn’t get out of bed for a long time,” Darlene said.Fighting tears that rolled down his cheeks, Derek recalled how he called Griffeth over and over again until he finally reached her and she told him what she knew. The siblings searched the news and found stories about a homeless man who had been killed in an encampment clearing. “I didn’t get out of bed for a long time,” Darlene said.
Focusing first on getting people into homes and then helping them with other issues they may be experiencing, has been found to decrease homelessness by 88% compared to programs that insist on mental health or drug abuse treatment first. They are also more cost effective, producing benefits of $1.80 for every dollar spent.Focusing first on getting people into homes and then helping them with other issues they may be experiencing, has been found to decrease homelessness by 88% compared to programs that insist on mental health or drug abuse treatment first. They are also more cost effective, producing benefits of $1.80 for every dollar spent.
Pushing people out of view and forcing them into treatment, however, is highly costly. Studies have found that they do not reduce homelessness, and even prolong it. Although the Trump administration is not keeping track of outcomes, local reports note many unhoused people are just being moved around by his crackdown, all at an estimated cost of $1m a day.Pushing people out of view and forcing them into treatment, however, is highly costly. Studies have found that they do not reduce homelessness, and even prolong it. Although the Trump administration is not keeping track of outcomes, local reports note many unhoused people are just being moved around by his crackdown, all at an estimated cost of $1m a day.
“We could house several people for a year for that,” Whitehead noted. “It’s a waste of resources, it doesn’t solve homelessness.”“We could house several people for a year for that,” Whitehead noted. “It’s a waste of resources, it doesn’t solve homelessness.”
At first, Darlene was hopeful that her brother’s death would lead to change. The Justice for Cornelius Taylor Coalition was created, and within days, the city halted all encampment clearings and banned the use of heavy equipment. The coalition secured a meeting with the mayor a week after Taylor’s death.At first, Darlene was hopeful that her brother’s death would lead to change. The Justice for Cornelius Taylor Coalition was created, and within days, the city halted all encampment clearings and banned the use of heavy equipment. The coalition secured a meeting with the mayor a week after Taylor’s death.
But of the coalition’s demands – a homeless “czar” in the mayor’s administration, a housing-first approach, the firing of the person in charge of the non-profit that carries out the city’s homelessness policy, and a taskforce convened to change city policy – the city only took them up on the taskforce. That taskforce was so resistant to wholescale change, Franzen said, that all of the coalition members eventually quit.But of the coalition’s demands – a homeless “czar” in the mayor’s administration, a housing-first approach, the firing of the person in charge of the non-profit that carries out the city’s homelessness policy, and a taskforce convened to change city policy – the city only took them up on the taskforce. That taskforce was so resistant to wholescale change, Franzen said, that all of the coalition members eventually quit.
“Our premise for the taskforce was to change the city’s approach to homelessness,” Franzen said. “They just turned it into, ‘Let’s not crush a person.’”“Our premise for the taskforce was to change the city’s approach to homelessness,” Franzen said. “They just turned it into, ‘Let’s not crush a person.’”
The city’s moratorium on clearings lapsed in early May. They started back up immediately. Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens has vowed to clear all encampments before the city hosts the World Cup next summer. Officials became anxious to finish what had begun in January and clear out the encampment on Old Wheat Street, but the Justice for Cornelius Taylor Coalition pushed back. It asked for 12 months; instead it got half that time. It demanded a year of housing and weekly groceries for 30 people with wraparound services including therapy and life skills coaching.The city’s moratorium on clearings lapsed in early May. They started back up immediately. Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens has vowed to clear all encampments before the city hosts the World Cup next summer. Officials became anxious to finish what had begun in January and clear out the encampment on Old Wheat Street, but the Justice for Cornelius Taylor Coalition pushed back. It asked for 12 months; instead it got half that time. It demanded a year of housing and weekly groceries for 30 people with wraparound services including therapy and life skills coaching.
That is not what it got. In July, coalition volunteers gathered to pack up encampment residents and help them move to housing after weeks of meetings. Derek helped put residents’ belongings into plastic bins and piled in a U-Haul van. Franzen secured a yellow school bus and cranked its air conditioning. Music played; every time an encampment resident chose to walk on to the bus, the entire crowd applauded. All the residents but one got on the bus and left. Loud cheers erupted as it drove away.That is not what it got. In July, coalition volunteers gathered to pack up encampment residents and help them move to housing after weeks of meetings. Derek helped put residents’ belongings into plastic bins and piled in a U-Haul van. Franzen secured a yellow school bus and cranked its air conditioning. Music played; every time an encampment resident chose to walk on to the bus, the entire crowd applauded. All the residents but one got on the bus and left. Loud cheers erupted as it drove away.
“It was emotional,” Derek said. “It was bittersweet.”“It was emotional,” Derek said. “It was bittersweet.”
Franzen insists that the city promised there would be a bed for every person who said “yes” to getting on the bus. But when it arrived at Welcome House, a low-income housing complex squeezed between I-20 and a city jail, only 14 were available. A few residents who are veterans were supposed to get into veterans’ housing, and a family with kids was supposed to go into family housing, none of which was ready either.Franzen insists that the city promised there would be a bed for every person who said “yes” to getting on the bus. But when it arrived at Welcome House, a low-income housing complex squeezed between I-20 and a city jail, only 14 were available. A few residents who are veterans were supposed to get into veterans’ housing, and a family with kids was supposed to go into family housing, none of which was ready either.
The encampment was torn down almost immediately after the bus left. Outreach workers ripped the doors of tents open, still filled with belongings – shampoo bottles, clothes, sunhats, mattresses, camping chairs, box fans, umbrellas, pillows – that they tore out with long metal poles. The tents were spray painted with a bubblegum pink “X”. The fire department carried around a black handheld screen called a thermal Flir to determine whether any heat signatures indicated bodies inside the tents – one way to avoid another death like Taylor’s. Then the tents were pushed into a waiting dumptruck by a mini truck loader until the poles snapped and the structures were crushed.The encampment was torn down almost immediately after the bus left. Outreach workers ripped the doors of tents open, still filled with belongings – shampoo bottles, clothes, sunhats, mattresses, camping chairs, box fans, umbrellas, pillows – that they tore out with long metal poles. The tents were spray painted with a bubblegum pink “X”. The fire department carried around a black handheld screen called a thermal Flir to determine whether any heat signatures indicated bodies inside the tents – one way to avoid another death like Taylor’s. Then the tents were pushed into a waiting dumptruck by a mini truck loader until the poles snapped and the structures were crushed.
“After that we know no one can go back into the tent,” Maj Jeff Cantin, part of the Atlanta Police Hope Team, said in a video the city created.“After that we know no one can go back into the tent,” Maj Jeff Cantin, part of the Atlanta Police Hope Team, said in a video the city created.
The coalition was stuck: it could not return anyone to Old Wheat Street, but it had nowhere to house more than a dozen people. Franzen negotiated an extra room at Welcome House, and the city put the veterans and the family into a Motel 6. All the city offered the rest was spots in shelters, places where some had been previously sexually assaulted, and encampment residents said they would rather go back on the street than accept those. So coalition members scrambled to put them up in hotels, covering it out of their own pockets. They ended up paying for people to stay for three weeks at $100 a room per night.The coalition was stuck: it could not return anyone to Old Wheat Street, but it had nowhere to house more than a dozen people. Franzen negotiated an extra room at Welcome House, and the city put the veterans and the family into a Motel 6. All the city offered the rest was spots in shelters, places where some had been previously sexually assaulted, and encampment residents said they would rather go back on the street than accept those. So coalition members scrambled to put them up in hotels, covering it out of their own pockets. They ended up paying for people to stay for three weeks at $100 a room per night.
Eventually, most people moved into Welcome House, the cost of which is covered by the city for a year, while the others have found other arrangements. One woman is at a Salvation Army waiting to be accepted into a job program that comes with an apartment. Two men who did not want to go to a sober living residence are staying with relatives, one in a car in a driveway.Eventually, most people moved into Welcome House, the cost of which is covered by the city for a year, while the others have found other arrangements. One woman is at a Salvation Army waiting to be accepted into a job program that comes with an apartment. Two men who did not want to go to a sober living residence are staying with relatives, one in a car in a driveway.
The city’s video claims everyone was moved to Welcome House and paired with a case manager, as well as given bedding, kitchenware and a food box. But the coalition has kept footing the bill to make sure those in Welcome House are fed, Franzen said. Darlene pulled blankets off of her own bed for them. They gathered TVs to put in everyone’s room so residents had something to do during the day and gave everyone an air fryer so they could cook food in their rooms. They bring a truck full of food down twice a week.The city’s video claims everyone was moved to Welcome House and paired with a case manager, as well as given bedding, kitchenware and a food box. But the coalition has kept footing the bill to make sure those in Welcome House are fed, Franzen said. Darlene pulled blankets off of her own bed for them. They gathered TVs to put in everyone’s room so residents had something to do during the day and gave everyone an air fryer so they could cook food in their rooms. They bring a truck full of food down twice a week.
The coalition released a petition in September claiming the city had failed to fund such services as mental health care, addiction treatment and employment assistance.The coalition released a petition in September claiming the city had failed to fund such services as mental health care, addiction treatment and employment assistance.
“I thought the loss of a man in such a gruesome manner would have gotten a bit of change started faster,” Darlene said. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but there’s more work to do.”“I thought the loss of a man in such a gruesome manner would have gotten a bit of change started faster,” Darlene said. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but there’s more work to do.”
Hall is more brutal in his assessment. “Cornelius’s death opened the door for a lot of change,” he said. But instead, “a Band-Aid has been put on a wound.” And now that his encampment is gone, they have stopped caring. “After we was gone, the mayor disappeared, like David Copperfield.”Hall is more brutal in his assessment. “Cornelius’s death opened the door for a lot of change,” he said. But instead, “a Band-Aid has been put on a wound.” And now that his encampment is gone, they have stopped caring. “After we was gone, the mayor disappeared, like David Copperfield.”
Hall is among those who did not land at Welcome House. At first he was put up in one of the hotels. Now, after 31 years of living on the street, the slight 71-year-old with white in the whiskers around his lips has moved into a sober living apartment. He has gotten clean. He sits in his room drinking coffee and reading books. The peaceful back yard has trees and squirrels he enjoys.Hall is among those who did not land at Welcome House. At first he was put up in one of the hotels. Now, after 31 years of living on the street, the slight 71-year-old with white in the whiskers around his lips has moved into a sober living apartment. He has gotten clean. He sits in his room drinking coffee and reading books. The peaceful back yard has trees and squirrels he enjoys.
“Being in a house, I just try to sit and absorb it all, the reality of it,” he said. He has a job lined up at a Popeyes and he is hoping that, with that income, he will be able to move to a place of his own and be completely self-sufficient. “I want my own building key,” he said.“Being in a house, I just try to sit and absorb it all, the reality of it,” he said. He has a job lined up at a Popeyes and he is hoping that, with that income, he will be able to move to a place of his own and be completely self-sufficient. “I want my own building key,” he said.
He recognizes it is made possible by Taylor’s death. “I feel like his life was a sacrifice for us,” he said.He recognizes it is made possible by Taylor’s death. “I feel like his life was a sacrifice for us,” he said.
The rooms inside Welcome House are small and frugal. Griffeth’s has a sink on one side, a refrigerator and dresser on the other, and a twin bed along the third, “and that’s it”. When she first walked in, she said, she thought to herself: “This is it?” But just as quickly she was able to appreciate it. “Look where I came from,” she said. One of the best parts was access to a shower; she took three or four every day. Each floor of the building has bathrooms that lock behind the user and a shared kitchen. Griffeth has gained 25lbs since moving in. She wears the keys to her room around her neck on a blue lanyard everywhere she goes.The rooms inside Welcome House are small and frugal. Griffeth’s has a sink on one side, a refrigerator and dresser on the other, and a twin bed along the third, “and that’s it”. When she first walked in, she said, she thought to herself: “This is it?” But just as quickly she was able to appreciate it. “Look where I came from,” she said. One of the best parts was access to a shower; she took three or four every day. Each floor of the building has bathrooms that lock behind the user and a shared kitchen. Griffeth has gained 25lbs since moving in. She wears the keys to her room around her neck on a blue lanyard everywhere she goes.
For her, it’s temporary, a stepping stone to somewhere better. She wants to find her own home quickly if for no other reason than she needs somewhere to keep her papers: important documents, as well as every newspaper clipping about Taylor. “I want to save everything,” she said, her voice dropping to the hush that comes over her when she talks about him. She treasures the gifts he gave her, including two large African necklaces, a blue beaded bracelet and a silver ring she wears on her pinkie with some white and blue stones and a few empty settings. “This is the ring,” she said softly. Even more quietly, she added: “I’m going to keep it for ever.”For her, it’s temporary, a stepping stone to somewhere better. She wants to find her own home quickly if for no other reason than she needs somewhere to keep her papers: important documents, as well as every newspaper clipping about Taylor. “I want to save everything,” she said, her voice dropping to the hush that comes over her when she talks about him. She treasures the gifts he gave her, including two large African necklaces, a blue beaded bracelet and a silver ring she wears on her pinkie with some white and blue stones and a few empty settings. “This is the ring,” she said softly. Even more quietly, she added: “I’m going to keep it for ever.”
Her grief is raw, gripping her in waves. But through it, she manages to find gratitude. Speaking in a barely audible whisper, she said: “I really sometimes think that he died so I could live.”Her grief is raw, gripping her in waves. But through it, she manages to find gratitude. Speaking in a barely audible whisper, she said: “I really sometimes think that he died so I could live.”