The Homelessness Bill That Passed — and What It Means for Sandy Springs

The 2026 Georgia Legislative Session ended just after 1 a.m. on April 3. In the weeks ahead, we will be publishing a three-part recap of the housing legislation we tracked this session. This is Part 1 — and it covers the single most important housing outcome of the session.

Of all the bills we followed this year, one stands out because of its immediate, direct impact on Sandy Springs. HB 295 passed both chambers after midnight on the final night of session and was signed into law by Governor Kemp on May 12. Here is what you need to know.

The Homelessness Bill That Passed: HB 295

This is the session's most important housing outcome, and it is important for every Sandy Springs resident to understand.

HB 295 passed both chambers after midnight on the final night of session. The bill allows property owners to sue local governments if they believe laws related to public camping, panhandling, loitering and other activities associated with homelessness are not being enforced.

Here is why that matters locally: instead of investing in the services that reduce homelessness — stable housing, mental health support, workforce programs — this bill creates a legal mechanism that could drain city budgets through lawsuits. It increases pressure on local governments to ticket, arrest or displace people who have nowhere to go, rather than address root causes.

Advocates have raised concerns that this approach could divert local resources away from housing and supportive services and toward legal defense costs.

This bill directly affects our city and has now been signed into law. If you feel strongly about how Georgia and local governments respond to homelessness, you can contact your state legislators and local elected officials to share your perspective.

What Happens Next

Governor Kemp has until May 12 to sign, veto or allow this bill to become law without his signature. We will be watching — and we will report back when that decision is made.

This is the kind of legislation that shapes how our city responds to homelessness for years to come. If you feel strongly about how Georgia and local governments respond to homelessness, contact your state legislators and local elected officials. You can find your state legislator at legis.ga.gov/find-my-legislator  and let them know how you feel.

We will continue tracking this issue — and in the coming weeks, we will publish Part 2 and Part 3 of our legislative recap, covering affordable housing funding and local control. Stay tuned.