Bringing Neighbors Home

Since 2020, unsheltered homelessness in Wake County has doubled. Faced with rising housing costs, many people are forced to live on the street or in camps located in parks and other public and private properties. In response to this growing crisis, the City is developing a comprehensive planning initiative to address unsheltered homelessness and launching an innovative pilot program to provide permanent housing to vulnerable community members living unsheltered.  

Planning Initiative

The comprehensive planning effort involves City, County, and community partners in the process to develop a shared plan by early 2025.  

The facilitation of the planning process involves developing a needs assessment and gaps analysis, creating shared protocols and prioritization methods, a housing surge toolkit, and a final plan and implementation guide, as well as a process for ongoing monitoring and evaluation.  

Pilot Program

The pilot program will bring together three evidence-based strategies to address the root cause of homelessness—lack of affordable housing.  

1. Direct Housing Assistance  
   1. Financial subsidy for individuals and families living unsheltered along with voluntary case management, help moving into permanent housing, and access to supportive services.  
       
2. Homelessness Support Services  
   1. Enhanced support for the broader homelessness services system, including continued funding for homelessness prevention and diversion initiatives, and support for local nonprofits and community partners working to end homelessness.  
3. Coordinated Community Response 
   1. Collaboration between the City, local agencies and stakeholders to develop a housing-focused communitywide unsheltered homelessness response strategy.  

The Pilot will provide direct housing assistance along with any needed services to transition approximately 45 households into permanent housing, fully decommissioning at least one camp, and provide proof of concept for future programs addressing unsheltered homelessness.