The Point-in-Time Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It helps determine the amount of federal funding Mecklenburg County receives for housing-related programs and how local leaders address homelessness. Photo: Courtesy of Mecklenburg County
The Charlotte area continues to grapple with a rising number of residents experiencing homelessness.
Context: Mecklenburg County's annual Point-in-Time Count takes place every January. The recently released data shows 2,018 people experiencing homelessness (both sheltered and unsheltered) across the area.
By the numbers: 499 people were experiencing unsheltered homelessness, up from 444 people last year. Of those in this year's count, 29 were unaccompanied youth and 25 were veterans.
1,519 people were in shelters, which is around 8% less than last year. But the drop stems from a lack of emergency shelter beds. This stems from two small emergency shelter programs closing and a larger one reducing its capacity due to funding constraints.
257 people of those in shelters were under age 18.
