THE Makao Collective
A new metro Atlanta nonprofit

No young person should
face homelessness alone.

building home, together

The Makao Collective opens doors for young people facing homelessness — starting with safe community host homes, and growing into the connected support that turns a crisis into a foundation for the future.

The need

Most young people without a stable home aren’t on the street — they’re on a friend’s couch, in a motel, moving place to place. Unseen, and not okay. Metro Atlanta has no dedicated network to reach them. We’re building one.

127,848
unaccompanied youth faced homelessness nationwide — up 15% in two years
84%
of unaccompanied youth are “doubled-up” — invisible to most counts
600+
young Georgians age out of foster care each year, untracked afterward

What we’re building

The Makao Collective is building a connected path from housing crisis to stability for young adults (18–24) — safe housing, community, nourishment, and a bridge to independence, so no young person has to build a future alone.

Makao is Swahili for home.

We start with host homes: trained, vetted community members who open a spare room, paired with real support. It’s where the work begins — and the foundation the rest of the vision grows from.

Home isn’t built by one person. It’s built together.

Build home with us

Three ways to be part of it. Pick your door.

Become a host

Have a spare room? Open your door to a young person who needs a safe place to land. We train, vet, and support you every step — you’re never doing it alone.

I’m interested →

Partner with us

Are you an organization, shelter, faith community, or service provider? Let’s connect youth to safe housing together — and be the “yes” when your beds are full.

Start a conversation →