Roof Above

A recent Mecklenburg County survey found that more people are living on the streets now than at any time since 2010. In part one of WFAE’s series, we spoke to those people and covered the death of a man who was living on the streets until he was found dead in uptown. In part two, WFAE looks at how the county and shelter programs are responding to this complex challenge.

A Mecklenburg County report this year found more people sleeping outside now than any year since 2010. In part one of a two-part series, WFAE's Elvis Menayese explores why homelessness remains a pressing issue and why some people sleep on the streets instead of going into shelters.

The Charlotte Symphony and another local group are bringing music to people who typically don’t get the opportunity to see live performances in a concert hall. Their goal: to use the art form as a way to help people navigate hardships.

It’s been nearly three months since Charlotte reinstated criminal penalties for many quality-of-life infractions. Some uptown residents complained that dropping them emboldened people without homes to openly defecate and drink alcohol in parks. The hope was the threat of arrest would reduce those behaviors. The fear was that it would criminalize poverty and lead to many arrests.

Charlotte City Council is set to vote Monday on reinstating criminal penalties for things that include sleeping or lying on a city park bench, public urination and possessing an open alcohol container in public spaces. Although the ordinances are not aimed specifically at the homeless population, many shelters fear the group will be most impacted.

Temperatures are expected to plunge into the teens this weekend. For those who have no place to go to stay warm, shelters in Charlotte are extending hours and expanding capacity.

"We don't want anyone to freeze out in this weather, and that has happened in the past," said Melinda Wilshire of Roof Above men's shelter and day services center.

Homelessness rose to record levels in Mecklenburg County during the pandemic. The rise was driven in part by an increase in families entering homelessness and the city's lack of affordable housing.

Roof Above has purchased an 88-unit hotel in southwest Charlotte that will serve as an emergency shelter for women and families this winter and transition to permanent supportive housing after renovations next summer.

Mecklenburg County and social service agencies are trying to make sure they're ready to house the region's growing number of homeless residents when cold weather arrives this winter. They face extra challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some programs canceled and shelters operating at reduced capacity. But thanks to changes during the pandemic, there may actually be more beds this year.