More than 4,600 people in DeKalb County, including over 1,600 children, are living in extended-stay hotels as a last resort for housing, according to a new report from the Georgia State University Center on Health and Homelessness. The study, which involved door-to-door surveys at 42 hotels by a team of 50 GSU and community volunteers, provides detailed data on the conditions faced by these families.
The research found that residents of extended-stay hotels pay an average monthly cost of $1,852—higher than the county’s average rent—but often remain in substandard conditions due to barriers such as income screening requirements and the inability to afford security deposits. Many families turn to these hotels because they do not have to provide upfront costs required for traditional rentals.
The project was funded by DeKalb County and conducted with support from family advocate Sue Sullivan and the Single Parents Alliance and Resource Center. It is described as the most comprehensive assessment of its kind for DeKalb County.
“Thousands of people in DeKalb County are living in extended-stay hotels but are not included in federal homelessness counts or local administrative systems,” said Shannon Self-Brown, Distinguished University Professor at GSU’s School of Public Health and co-lead of the Center on Health and Homelessness. “These families are excluded when resources are allocated, yet they face the same instability, cost burdens, and risks to health and safety as other people who lack stable housing.”
The survey revealed that most households had at least one working member (78%), with nearly a quarter reporting multiple jobs within the household. Despite their employment status, many cannot transition into more stable housing due to factors such as failing income screenings (61%), inability to pay deposits (48%), low credit scores (36%), or previous evictions (33%).
April Ballard, assistant professor at GSU’s School of Public Health and co-lead on the study said: “Our data show that families are paying what it costs to rent an apartment but are locked out of the rental market, often because of screening barriers and high upfront costs. They’d overwhelmingly like to move into more stable housing but often are trapped because they don’t meet screening criteria for rentals or can’t save enough for a security deposit.”
Health concerns were also documented: nearly one-third reported mold issues while almost half cited insects or rats in their rooms. Twenty-two percent mentioned crime or unsafe conditions; 25% reported excessive noise. These environmental hazards contribute to increased risk for asthma, respiratory illnesses, skin irritation, stress levels—and present further challenges beyond physical health.
Children living in these settings face additional obstacles related to education. Only 25% of surveyed households reported receiving services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act—which guarantees transportation assistance and school stability supports for homeless students—leaving many children vulnerable to poor attendance records and lower academic achievement.
“Extended stay hotels are designed for short-term lodging, not long-term living,” Ballard stated. “In addition to impacts on physical and mental health, the housing instability these families face makes it difficult for children to succeed academically and for adults to maintain stable employment.”
The report also highlights that extended-stay hotel residency is rarely temporary: over 16% had lived there more than five years; another 45% between one and five years.
Researchers suggest targeted financial assistance could help hundreds secure permanent homes quickly—such as programs covering security deposits or capping rent at no more than 30% of household income (about $1,100 per month based on current averages).
“The extended-stay hotel crisis will not resolve on its own and is likely to get worse without coordinated action,” Self-Brown said. “Our project findings highlight the urgency of the crisis but also emphasizes that meaningful solutions are possible.”
Co-authors include Alicia Daubon; Kylie DeBoer; Joleesa Freeman; Joy Monroe; Sue Sullivan; April Ballard; Shannon Self-Brown.
