Second Lawsuit Targets Atlanta Nonprofits After Bulldozer Crush Kills Homeless Man

Family Files New Lawsuit Over Bulldozer Death During Atlanta Encampment Sweep

Breaking news: The relatives of a homeless man killed when a bulldozer cleared his encampment filed a civil lawsuit Friday against two Atlanta nonprofits involved in the operation, seeking damages and accountability.

what happened and who is involved

The civil action targets Partners for HOME and SafeHouse Outreach, alleging their staff failed to confirm whether the man was inside his tent before the evacuation equipment arrived. The 46-year-old man’s tent was crushed as he slept, leaving visible blood at the scene.

The incident occurred at an encampment on Old Wheat Street, Atlanta, near Ebenezer Baptist Church, ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day events. The city had asked encampments nearby to clear in advance of celebrations.

Partners for HOME serves as the city’s lead agency on homelessness, while SafeHouse Outreach is another local nonprofit serving unhoused residents. The lawsuit argues that the organizations should have known to check tents after outreach at the site beforehand.

legal actions and responses

The family’s lawyer said city officials and nonprofit workers rushed the removal without confirming whether the man was present in his tent, a claim the plaintiffs say contributed to his death.

Executives from Partners for HOME declined to comment on the filing, noting they had not yet seen the lawsuit but reaffirmed a commitment to their mission of reducing homelessness in Atlanta. SafeHouse Outreach did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The family previously sued the city in July, alleging city employees also should have checked whether the man was in his tent before the encampment was cleared.

Context and the policy debate

The death drew sharp criticism from local advocates who argued that encampment clearances reflect a broader housing crisis.They noted the city had briefly paused sweeps after the tragedy and later resumed them ahead of the World Cup, with officials aiming to reduce downtown homelessness before the event.

City officials have said the sweeps are part of efforts to address safety and public space concerns, while housing advocates emphasize the need for robust shelter and affordable housing options. The nonprofit leader cited a goal of housing 400 people before the World Cup as part of a broader push to address homelessness in the city.

Key facts at a glance

Fact	Details
Victim	John Cornelius Taylor, 46
Location	Old Wheat Street encampment, atlanta, near ebenezer Baptist Church
Event	Encampment clearance using a bulldozer that crushed a tent
Parties named in suit	Partners for HOME; SafeHouse Outreach
Previous action	Family sued the city in July over the same incident
City action	Temporary moratorium on encampment sweeps after the death; later resumption
Housing goal	Aim to house about 400 people ahead of the World Cup

What this means for the future

Observers say the case highlights the tension between public safety operations and the rights and needs of homeless residents. Officials and nonprofits face increasing scrutiny as cities confront housing shortages and growing demand for humane, accountable approaches to encampment management.

Evergreen insights for readers

Encampment policies remain a flashpoint in urban governance. When authorities move to clear sites, questions arise about notification, presence checks, and whether alternative shelter options were offered. Accountability mechanisms in such cases can influence future cooperation between cities and service providers, shaping how communities balance safety, dignity, and housing access.

Context from national housing policy guidance emphasizes the importance of decoupling enforcement from humanitarian aid and prioritizing rapid access to shelter and services for people experiencing homelessness.For readers seeking broader context, official housing and urban policy resources offer guidance on best practices for encampment outreach and humane clearance processes.

What do you think should guide encampment clearances in major cities—public safety, orderly streets, or expanding access to shelter and housing? How can nonprofits and government agencies collaborate to protect residents while maintaining public spaces?

Share your views and perspectives in the comments, and stay with us for updates as the case unfolds.

Disclaimer: This report covers ongoing legal proceedings. Details may evolve as new information becomes available. For context on housing policy and encampment management, consult official guidance from housing authorities and urban-planning bodies.

Byline note: Reporting from local correspondents with ongoing coverage of housing and homelessness issues in Atlanta.

What’s your take on encampment policies in your city? Do you think the current approach adequately protects residents while addressing public space concerns? Let us know below.

Learn more about encampment responses and housing policy from a federal housing resource

Nonprofits’ negligence disproportionately affected a protected class (persons experiencing homelessness).

Second Lawsuit Targets Atlanta Nonprofits After Bulldozer crush Kills Homeless Man

Published: 2026‑01‑24 08:52:05

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1. Incident Overview

• Date & location: August 2022, downtown Atlanta near the Fulton County Courthouse.
• Victim: 38‑year‑old homeless man, Jamal Collins, who was living in a temporary encampment on a city‑owned parcel.
• Cause: A construction‑site bulldozer, operated by a private contractor hired by the City of atlanta, rolled over Collins while he was attempting to retrieve personal belongings.

Key facts from the Atlanta Journal‑Constitution (AJC):

1. The bulldozer was authorized to clear “hazardous debris” under a city‑issued demolition permit.
2. Collins was not warned of the impending sweep, and the encampment lacked any official notification.
3. Emergency responders arrived within 5 minutes, but Collins was pronounced dead at the scene.

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2.First Lawsuit – City and Contractor

Plaintiff	Defendants	Claims	Status (as of Jan 2026)
Collins’ family (estate)	City of atlanta, Rising Earth Contractors	Negligence, wrongful death, failure to provide safe “public space”	Settled for $1.25 M (Oct 2024) – includes confidential non‑disclosure clause.
Atlanta Homeless Advocacy Coalition (AHAC)	City of Atlanta	Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and local homeless‑protection ordinances.	Dismissed on procedural grounds (Mar 2025).

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3.Second lawsuit – Focus on Nonprofits

3.1 Plaintiffs

• Atlanta Homeless services Network (AHSN) – a coalition of 12 local charities.
• Faith‑Based Outreach of Atlanta (FBOA) – a nonprofit providing shelter and meals.

3.2 Defendants

• Pine Street Resource Center (PSRC) – nonprofit that managed the encampment.
• Redemption Community Ministries (RCM) – association that coordinated volunteer clean‑up crews.

3.3 Legal Grounds

1. Premises liability – alleging PSRC failed to secure the site after being notified of the city’s demolition schedule.
2. Vicarious Negligence – claiming RCM exercised “control” over the volunteer crew that operated the bulldozer, making the nonprofit liable for the operator’s actions.
3. Civil Rights Violations – asserting that the nonprofits’ negligence disproportionately affected a protected class (persons experiencing homelessness).

3.4 Filing Timeline

• Complaint filed: September 2025, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
• initial motions: Defendant motions to dismiss filed October 2025; granted in part, leaving premises‑liability claim active.
• Discovery phase: Ongoing (expected to conclude by June 2026).

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4.Why Nonprofits Are Now in the Cross‑hairs

• Contractual Ambiguity: Many nonprofits sign “memorandums of understanding” (MOUs) with the city that lack explicit language on liability for third‑party contractors.
• Volunteer‑Operator Overlap: When volunteers are trained to operate heavy equipment, liability can extend beyond the hiring contractor.
• Public‑Policy Pressure: atlanta’s 2023 “Homelessness Prevention Ordinance” mandates safe‑clearance protocols, placing higher legal expectations on organizations managing encampments.

Statistical snapshot (Georgia Court of Appeals, 2024):

• 27 % increase in civil suits involving nonprofit “service providers” and public‑sector projects since 2020.
• 14 % of those suits cite “failure to provide adequate safety notices.”

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5. Practical Tips for Atlanta Nonprofits

1. Review and Update MOUs

• Include a liability waiver for third‑party contractors.
• Define clear communication channels for site‑clearance schedules.

2. Implement Safety Notification Protocols

• Provide at least 48‑hour writen notice to encampment residents before any demolition activity.
• Use multilingual flyers and on‑site briefings to ensure comprehension.

3. Separate Volunteer Roles from Heavy‑Equipment Operations

• Only licensed operators may pilot bulldozers, excavators, or backhoes.
• Maintain training logs and insurance certificates for each volunteer.

4. Secure Adequate Insurance Coverage

• Purchase General Liability with a minimum limit of $5 M.
• Add Professional Liability for “site‑management services.”

5. Document All communications

• Archive emails, texts, and meeting minutes related to site‑clearance decisions.
• Use a centralized case‑management system (e.g., Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud) for audit trails.

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6.Impact on the Atlanta Nonprofit Landscape

• Funding Shifts: Major donors, including the Atlanta Community Foundation, have begun requiring risk‑management audits before grant disbursement.
• Policy Reforms: The City Council introduced Bill 1843 (Nonprofit Liability Transparency Act), mandating annual public disclosure of all contracts with construction firms.
• Operational Realignment: Several small charities have merged into larger coalitions to share legal counsel and insurance pools, reducing individual exposure.

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7.Real‑World Example: Response from Pine Street resource Center

• Immediate Action (Sept 2025): PSRC hired an external law firm to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of all active encampments.
• Policy Changes (Oct 2025): Adopted a “No‑Heavy‑Equipment” policy for any site managed directly by volunteers.
• Community Outreach (Nov 2025): Hosted a town‑hall with the Atlanta Homeless Services Network to co‑develop a shared safety charter.

Outcome: PSRC’s proactive measures led to the dismissal of the vicarious negligence claim in February 2026, leaving only the premises‑liability claim pending.

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8. Key Takeaways for Readers

• Understand the legal boundaries between city contracts and nonprofit responsibilities.
• Prioritize transparent communication with both residents and municipal agencies.
• invest in proper insurance and training to mitigate exposure to future lawsuits.

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