Economy Threatens Cities' Fights Vs. Homelessnes

Beneath the glowing red curlicues of the Coca-Cola headquarters sign, case worker Hylda Jackson bargains with one of Atlanta's left behind. Anthony Johnson, left, an Air Force Veteran who has been living in Coca-Cola Park in Atlanta for... Expand Anthony Johnson, left, an Air Force Veteran who has been living in Coca-Cola Park in Atlanta for three weeks, talks with Tony Stone, right, the outreach coordinator for the Gateway Center on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 about the "Street to Home" program. (AP Photo/Jenni Girtman) Collapse (AP) More Photos "Are you ready, right now, this morning?" she says, kneeling beside a white-bearded man. Harry Byrd's rumpled form is enveloped by the odor of stale beer, even before dawn. "To do what?" he drawls. "To go to a place to live. Are you ready right now?" Jackson presses. A yes would land Byrd in his own apartment, surrounded by people ready to smooth his life's kinks. No, and he'll remain among the 750,000 homeless sprinkled across the nation's streets and shelters each night