Facts & Statistics about the homeless

With much research, we have compiled facts regarding the number of homeless individuals in the Charlotte Mecklenburg community. The statistics and figures are alarming and will hopefully wake peole up to this startling crisis.

Homeless Count in Charlotte, NC= 7,550

Of these, 2,989 are children

But why? Keep reading.

 

Why are people Homeless?

  • Growing shortage of affordable rental housing and foreclosures.
  • An increase in poverty
  • Lack of affordable healthcare
  • Domestic violence victims
  • Mental illness
  • Addiction disorders

What does homelessness look like locally?

The combined Winter 2009 Community Homeless Count in Charlotte Mecklenburg exceeds 7,550 – a conservative estimate.

(NOTE: The total of 7,550 possibly includes a small number of duplicate counts).
The combined community count of homeless persons for July 2009 is up 22 percent from January 2008. The estimated count was 5,373 in 2008.

The combined count includes three categories:

1. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines homelessness as:

  • An individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and
  • An individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is- a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill): An institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized or: A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
  • For purposes of this (explanation), the term “homeless” or “homeless individual” does not include any individual imprisoned or otherwise detained pursuant to an Act of the Congress or a State law

How does it look locally?

  • 2,397 in January 2009, up from 2,046 in January 2008, a 21 percent increas

2. McKinney Vento Act says a child who is homeless:

  • Lacks a regular, fixed and adequate nighttime sleeping residence (substandard housing).
  • Is sharing housing due to economic struggles (double-up).
  • Is living in a shelter, hotel or motel.
  • Is living in a public place not designed for sleeping (cars, parks).
  • Is an unaccompanied youth.
  • Is a child or youth awaiting foster care placement.
  • Is a child or youth abandoned in a hospital.
  • Is a migrant child who qualifies under any of the above

How does it look locally?

2,989 in January 2009, up from 2,191 in January 2008, an 11 percent increase.
As of March 1, 2009, the number increased to 3,050, and is expected to exceed 3,500 by June 2009.

From January 2008 to the present, CMS continues to see a large increase in homeless children due to home foreclosures and evictions related to the economy and housing issues. CMS numbers surged as the school system counted more than 100 new homeless children monthly starting in January 2008, leading to a school year total of 3,391.

3. Community Other, which is defined as:

  • Homeless jail inmates
  • Homeless hospital inpatients
  • Recently foreclosed and evicted
  • Other homeless persons helped by local homeless service agencies not included in count above.

How does it look locally?
2,171 in January 2009, up from 1,136 in January 2008, a 44 percent increase