Homelessness is a significant problem in the state of Georgia, and this issue is compounded for individuals who are also required to register as sex offenders. According to a 2017 report by the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, there were over 2,000 Georgians on the registry who are homeless.

One of the biggest challenges for these individuals is finding a place to live that is in compliance with state laws. Georgia requires all registered sex offenders to provide their current address to law enforcement and to update this information within 72 hours of any change of address. For individuals who are homeless, this can be a near-impossible task, as they do not have a fixed address to report.

In addition to this, many municipalities in Georgia have ordinances in place that restrict where people on the registry can live. These ordinances often prohibit sex offenders from living and working within a certain distance of schools, parks, places of worship, daycares, and other areas where children congregate. This makes it even more difficult for homeless sex offenders to find a place to live, as the options available to them are even more limited.

Furthermore, these living and working restrictions also place an undue burden on the children and families of the individuals required to register as sex offenders and often contributes to these families being separated.

The lack of stable housing can also make it difficult for homeless sex offenders to comply with other requirements of their probation or parole. For example, they may have difficulty meeting with their probation or parole officer, or they may struggle to find a job or access other resources that could help them get back on their feet.

Several organizations in Georgia are working to address this issue. For example, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision has a Homeless Sex Offender Registry Unit, which is responsible for monitoring and tracking homeless sex offenders. They also work with other organizations, such as Housing For All Felons, LLC, and homeless shelters, to try and provide housing and other services to this population.

In addition, several non-profit organizations in the state are working to address this issue and provide services to this population such as job training, counseling, and case management to homeless sex offenders. They also work to raise awareness about the issue and advocate for policies that could help improve the lives of homeless sex offenders.

It's important to note that being homeless and being on the sex offender registry is not a crime. It is a situation that can happen to anyone, as more than a third of the people on Georgia's sex offender registry have never actually sexually enticed, solicited, molested, or assaulted anyone, and they deserve the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

In conclusion, homelessness is a significant problem for individuals on Georgia's sex offender registry, but with adequate resources and support, individuals on Georgia's sex offender registry will have the resources they need to be compliant but most importantly successful and productive within the communities in which they and their families reside.