4,600 people in Metro Atlanta living in extended-stay hotels, GSU study finds

ATLANTA, Ga. (WTOC) - A new study from Georgia State University reveals a hidden housing crisis in DeKalb County, where more than 4,600 people, including over 1,600 children, are living in extended-stay hotels as their primary residence.

The research, commissioned by DeKalb County and conducted through door-to-door surveys at 42 extended-stay hotels, documents families who are working but unable to secure permanent housing due to high rents, credit barriers, prior evictions, and costly move-in requirements.

Researchers found many families are paying more per month for hotel rooms than they would for apartments, often without kitchens, leases, or tenant protections. Children living in single-room hotel spaces face disruptions to schooling, sleep, and daily routines, while families report stress and health issues linked to overcrowding and poor conditions.

The study also notes that families living in hotels are often excluded from official homelessness counts, making them largely invisible when housing assistance and funding decisions are made.

Researchers say addressing the issue will require policies that lower housing barriers, provide help with deposits and fees, and ensure families spend no more than 30% of their income on housing, the standard measure of affordability.