Raleigh is taking a big step to help people experiencing homelessness. On January 31, the City closed the Dix Park camp after making sure that all 45 households living there are in stable housing, or have a clear plan to housing.
The Bringing Neighbors Home Pilot Program offers a time-tested, evidence-based solution to homelessness. The Pilot helps people find secure, long-term housing. It gives them a path to housing and connects them to important services like healthcare, job training, and mental health support.
This camp was chosen for the focus group as it was the site selected for the Bringing Neighbors Home Pilot Program due to elevated health and safety issues and the imminent threat of closure. The purpose of the focus group was to better understand the needs of those living there and to help shape future plans for addressing unsheltered homelessness in the city.
So far, everyone in the program has either been housed or has a plan to move into one. The impact is already life-changing.
This program doesn’t just help people—it also saves money. Studies show that giving people stable housing can save taxpayers as much as $70,000 per person each year by reducing emergency services, law enforcement, and healthcare costs. Instead of spending money to react to homelessness, Raleigh is using that money to stop it before it starts.
For many, this program means more than just housing—it’s about freedom.
Now that the Dix Park camp is closed, Raleigh Parks will clean up the area, remove dangerous materials, and clear out harmful plants. They will also put up fencing to keep the space safe and open for the community. Meanwhile, outreach teams will stay in touch with those who need help, making sure they keep getting the support they need.
The program is also helping people reconnect with family. Many shared how they can now rekindle relationships with their kids and grandkids. A participant, now living in an Oxford House and working full-time at a local restaurant, is now on track to search for permanent housing so he can reunite with his three children. One mother and daughter, housed through the program, now live across the hall from each other, keeping their family close.
The Bringing Neighbors Home Pilot Program proves what can happen when a city invests in its people. It is more than just housing—it is hope, stability, and a fresh start. Raleigh is showing that with planning and teamwork, the affordable housing puzzle can be solved, one piece at a time.