The most recent figures from the 2025 Point-in-Time count have raised eyebrows across Wake County, indicating a substantial uptick in homelessness figures. The count, which is seen as a critical measure for shaping policy and allocating resources for the homeless, tallied 1,258 individuals—a sharp increase of nearly 27% compared to last year's data. This rise in numbers, however, may also reflect a more accurate depiction of the situation thanks to better counting methods and outreach efforts. According to the Wake County report, this year's results benefit from the utilization of a new surveying app and the support of 145 volunteers, a significant increase from the previous year.
This leap in volunteerism and improved tools was not without its merits. Commissioner Safiyah Jackson of the Wake County Board of Commissioners told Wake County, "This year's count is the most accurate we've ever had, thanks to the improvements we made in data collection and volunteer engagement." The digits show that there were 971 people found in shelters while 287 were living unsheltered—more than double the 141 unsheltered individuals recorded in 2024, with 320 individuals classified as chronically homeless.
Moreover, the results have illuminated the disproportionate representation of certain demographics among the homeless population. The county's data revealed that Black, African American, or African persons accounted for 63% of those counted, indicating a discrepancy when compared to their overall representation in Wake County population statistics from the 2020 Census. The Point-in-Time Count also found that out of the 1,009 adults surveyed, 61% identified as men, 37% as women, and 1.5% as transgender, non-binary, or identified with more than two gender identities. Veterans were not excluded from the count, with 61 having been counted, most of whom were living in emergency shelters.
Wake County's proactive measures to combat this continuing issue include the implementation of permanent housing initiatives. One such example is the King’s Ridge project and the City of Raleigh's Bringing Neighbors Home Unsheltered Response Pilot Program. Additionally, timely improvements are being made to rapidly rehouse and provide permanent supportive housing referral processes through Coordinated Entry. The county is now better positioned to strategically address homelessness after becoming the Continuum of Care Lead Agency, overseeing coordination of resources to serve those in need, as reported by Wake County.
Despite efforts to ensure accuracy, the Point-in-Time Count provides only a limited snapshot of homelessness. The one-night census often underrepresents the actual number of individuals experiencing homelessness, as it does not capture those outside shelters or unsheltered on that specific night. Wake County continues to refine its response using real-time data throughout the year via the Homeless Management Information System and other collaborative tools.
