Every January, volunteers in Charlotte-Mecklenburg conduct the Point in Time Count to gather data on people experiencing homelessness. The 2026 count is scheduled for January 22. To start preparations, Mecklenburg County and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Continuum of Care are organizing a community conversation event featuring Donald H. Whitehead Jr., executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless.
The event will take place on November 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the McColl Center in Charlotte. Residents who wish to attend are encouraged to register in advance.
Donald H. Whitehead Jr., who has personal experience with homelessness and addiction, has become a leading advocate and expert on these issues over the past three decades. He has served as executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless for five years.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development conducts the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count across the United States each January to estimate how many people are experiencing homelessness and to collect demographic information. The survey aims not only to count individuals but also to connect them with available resources.
Locally, these efforts are coordinated by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Continuum of Care, Mecklenburg County Community Support Services’ Housing Innovation and Stabilization Services Division, and Hearts for the Invisible Coalition Charlotte.
Last year’s count identified 444 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg on January 23, representing a 16% increase from previous years and marking the highest number since 2010.
As of September 30, there were 2,430 individuals experiencing sheltered or unsheltered homelessness locally according to Mecklenburg County’s One Number benchmark. This ongoing need comes as resources remain limited. In response, Mecklenburg County’s Board of Commissioners allocated more than $30 million this year for services related to homelessness and affordable housing.
Community members can help by donating food or clothing, volunteering at shelters or food banks, contributing to nonprofits that support homeless populations, or supporting local government strategies addressing affordable housing needs. Volunteers and donations will also be needed for this year’s Point in Time Count on January 22.
Mecklenburg County schools enrolled a total of 153,537 students during the 2022-23 school year—a slight decrease compared to previous years (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/). Enrollment dropped by about 0.4% during that period (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/).
To learn more about housing issues locally, residents can visit the Housing and Homelessness Dashboard.
For questions about participating in upcoming events or volunteering opportunities related to homelessness outreach efforts, interested individuals may contact [email protected].
