November is Homelessness Awareness Month, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg is bracing to make every individual count during the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count scheduled for Jan. 23, 2025. Mecklenburg County Community Support Services and the Hearts for the Invisible Coalition Charlotte are rallying volunteers and gathering donations to aid those living without homes. The PIT Count, a national initiative overseen by HUD, offers a crucial snapshot of homelessness across the country.
Volunteers are encouraged to quickly sign up and participate in one of the information sessions about the Count. According to a statement obtained by Mecklenburg County, "On Jan. 23, 2025, volunteers are needed to complete surveys with people experiencing homelessness." These surveys are fundamental to grasp the extent of the situation and to connect individuals to available resources.
In addition to time, there is a call for donations of essential items and financial contributions. There's an Amazon Wishlist detailing the most needed supplies, and financial gifts can also be channeled through the Hearts for the Invisible Coalition, which plays a leading role in community outreach. These donations are aimed at providing supplies and a warm breakfast for those spending the night outside on the day of the PIT Count.
To magnify the outreach, the citizens of Charlotte-Mecklenburg are urged to widely spread the word and use the #EverybodyCountsCLT hashtag on social media. The community can stay updated and participate in activities listed on the 2025 PIT Activities Calendar, which will be published mid-December. A key piece of data from last year's PIT Count was provided by Mecklenburg County: "During last year’s Point-in-Time Count, 2,095 people were counted, including 193 families, 77 youth (18-24), and 384 people sleeping outside."
The reality that unsheltered homelessness has surged by 30% since 2020 underpins the importance of the PIT Count. Mecklenburg County emphasizes, "Counting is crucial for understanding and addressing the scope of homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg."
