ATLANTA — Wellroot Family Services says the number of people reaching out for supported housing has more than doubled over the past year as families face higher everyday expenses.

CEO Allison Ashe said the cost of housing, food and gas is putting additional pressure on families across metro Atlanta.

“The number of people who have reached out to us for supported housing has more than doubled. We see this on the front line, it’s not just statistics,” Ashe said.

According to Princeton University, Atlanta’s eviction rate is more than three times the national average. Ashe said many of the families Wellroot assists are about $100 short of being able to cover their rent.

“There were concerns that we were going to see more children coming into foster care due to housing instability,” Ashe said.

Wellroot is offering flexible financial assistance to help families cover expenses including food, gas and housing.

The nonprofit is also working on a new affordable housing development in DeKalb County that will include 65 spaces for families.

“Those units cannot be built fast enough because the need is now,” Ashe said.

The development will also provide additional resources for families.

“It includes all the wrap-around support services that a family needs; a food pantry, a mental and behavioral health center, workforce development training,” Ashe said.

Wellroot also plans to build more housing units for families using a new low-income housing tax credit.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & MaryRyan Howarth contributed to this story.