Nov. 17. Sometimes it’s hard to comprehend the number of homeless people here in light of the apparent prosperity around us, especially in North Mecklenburg. For example, construction on Jetton Extension just west of One Norman Boulevard means a small homeless encampment is gone.

Where did the resident—a middle-age female—go? The 2024 Department of Housing Urban Development Point-in-Time (PIT) count on Jan. 25 will span out across Mecklenburg County streets, shelters and encampments to identify individuals who are living without homes.

Background

The annual Point-in-Time Count is conducted across the United States on a single night in January each year and provides a snapshot of homelessness.

The key objectives of the PIT Count are to estimate the number of people experiencing homelessness and to understand their demographic characteristics and living situations. Another goal of finding unsheltered homeless individuals and families is to connect them to available resources.

Mecklenburg County Community Support Services and the Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte coalition have partnered to lead the 2024 Point-in-Time Count.

Residents can help by offering time, donating items, and raising awareness.

Give Time: Volunteers are needed on Jan. 25 to help complete surveys with people experiencing homelessness. Two information sessions are scheduled for prospective volunteers: Dec. 5 and Dec. 13. Learn more about the information sessions and register to volunteer here.

Donate: Mecklenburg County residents can donate items to help people sleeping outside until housing is secured. Access the wishlist here.

Raise Awareness: Residents can share information with their friends, family, and networks about housing and homelessness using the #EverybodyCountsCLT hashtag and PIT Activities calendar. The PIT Activities calendar provides data and links to events throughout January. It will be available mid-December at the Point-in-Time Count page on the Housing and Homelessness Dashboard.

During last year’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg Point-in-Time Count, 1,916 people were counted, including 171 families, 106 youth, and 288 people sleeping outside. Homelessness has risen 35 percent since 2020.