Open Doors, an Atlanta-based nonprofit with a mission of securing housing for those exiting homelessness, has met its goal of $7.28 million to support its Open More Doors campaign, funding a three-year strategic plan that expands services to address homelessness and housing insecurity in the Metro Atlanta community. Law firm Greenberg Traurig provided the final contribution of the Open More Doors campaign, allowing the organization to close the fundraising portion of the campaign and dedicate time and resources to its transformative work with those exiting homelessness as well as individuals, families and veterans who are housing insecure.

“We are incredibly grateful to companies like Greenberg Traurig who are partnering with us to make homelessness brief, rare and non-recurring for Atlantans experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity,” said Matt Hurd, Executive Director of Open Doors. “Our work is far from over, but this campaign has provided us with the resources and momentum to continue making a difference. Every day, Open Doors works with more than 200 property management companies and 160 community partners to improve access to permanent and sustainable housing for Atlanta families and veterans.”

Through the Open More Doors campaign, Open Doors has established the most comprehensive portfolio of affordable housing in the Southeast – more than doubling its size from 80 property management companies with 300 properties, to more than 200 management companies representing over 700 properties. Recently, Open Doors has added single-family housing to its portfolio of offerings as some households seeking a permanent home as they exit homelessness require space or amenities that can only be attained in a single-family home environment. In order to improve scalability of services, Open Doors is developing relationships with landlords that can add five or more single-family homes to the Open Doors portfolio. 

Through the Open More Doors campaign, the organization has launched a proprietary app, which streamlines the search process and improves communication between its community partners and the more than 700 properties in its portfolio. More than 5,000 individuals and families found safe and affordable housing through this innovative technology. 

Open More Doors has focused on increasing services to all populations, including veterans, families and individuals who are exiting homelessness. Building on that momentum, the Open More Doors campaign has allowed Open Doors to partner with the City of Atlanta, the Atlanta Apartment Association, nonprofit partners, foundations and the commercial real estate industry to provide specialized housing locator services for the Lift program as well as to veterans. More than 1,500 individuals and families found safe housing through the Lift campaign and Open Doors. The veterans pilot program was launched in summer 2023 and is already showing incredible potential to be a model for future veterans housing programs. 

“Providing housing to Atlantans escaping homelessness through our work with Open Doors is an integral component of Greenberg Traurig’s commitment to giving back to the Atlanta community,” said Greenberg Traurig Atlanta Office Administrative Shareholder, Chair of the Atlanta Business Litigation Group, and Open Doors Board Member Richard Valladares. “Through the Open More Doors campaign, Open Doors is leveraging technology and its network of community partners and property owners to remove rental barriers, provide equal access to housing, and shorten the timeframe for finding stable housing for those experiencing homelessness.” 

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In addition to donating the final contribution to the Open More Doors Campaign, Greenberg Traurig donates substantial legal services to Open Doors, serving as pro-bono outside counsel for the nonprofit organization. Additionally, two Greenberg Traurig shareholders – Michael Baum, Senior Vice President and Co-Chair of the firm’s Global Real Estate Practice, and Richard Valladares– generously volunteer their time and expertise serving on the Open Doors board of directors. 

The success of the Open More Doors campaign is a testament to the commitment and generosity of donors who are committed to providing Atlantans with permanent and sustainable housing, including Aaron and Angel Goldman Family Foundation, the Georgia Power Foundation, Greenberg Traurig, The Home Depot Foundation, The James M. Cox Foundation, The Lefar Family Foundation, RADCO, the Truist Foundation and the Wells Fargo Foundation. 

Since 2013, Open Doors has been making connections to bring people home, placing 12,000 individuals, families and veterans into sustainable housing at more than 700 apartment communities. Open Doors collaborates with its nonprofit partners and the commercial real estate community to place people into permanent, safe rental housing. The new Open Doors Housing Support Navigation program assists people experiencing housing insecurity by researching potential home options, establishing a sustainable budget, providing assistance with deposits, and securing and guaranteeing a lease. Open Doors also works to assist all clients with any barriers to sustaining housing, should they occur once clients are in their new home.