A new report shows more than 2,000 people were experiencing homelessness in Mecklenburg County earlier this year.
Results from the annual Point-in-Time Count, released Thursday, identified 2,018 people experiencing homelessness in January. Nearly 500 people were living unsheltered in places such as cars, parks and encampments — an increase of about 12 percent from last year.
Officials said the number of people staying in shelters declined, largely because some shelters reduced capacity or closed because of funding constraints.