Last year, people experiencing homelessness in Raleigh packed to leave an encampment off of Highway 70 near Interstate 40. (Photo: Greg Childress/NC Newsline)
Gov. Josh Stein (Photo: Greg Childress/NC Newsline)Gov. Josh Stein signed an executive order Wednesday relaunching the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs, a multi-agency effort to prevent and end homelessness by strengthening coordination among partners across government and private and non-profit service providers and advocates.
The Council for Homelessness Programs will be co-chaired by N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Policy Director Karen Wade and N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Chief of Staff Jessica Whichard, Stein’s office announced in a news release.
Stein said everyone benefits when people have a safe place to call home.
“Right now, we do not have enough homes, and the homes we have cost too much,” Stein said. “Cost is a major cause of homelessness and a major barrier when people are trying to return to housing. I am proud to relaunch this council to prevent homelessness and increase the development of affordable housing of all types so that every North Carolinian can thrive.”
A recent study commissioned by the NC Chamber Foundation in partnership with the North Carolina Home Builders Association and NC REALTORS® found that North Carolina has a significant housing crisis and needs 760,000 new housing units over the next five years to meet demand across its 100 counties.
The Council for Homelessness Programs was first created under the Cooper administration. It advises the governor, state agencies and external partners on issues related to housing stabilization, services for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, and strategies to reduce and end homelessness.
“North Carolinians experiencing homelessness face challenges when trying to access physical and mental health care and treatment for substance use disorder,” Wade said. “I am proud to co-chair this council and work with partners to ensure people receive the care they need in their journey to secure housing and live a healthy life.”
More than 11,500 North Carolinians experienced homelessness in 2024, including more than 3,200 families with children, more than 500 unaccompanied homeless youth, and nearly 700 veterans, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That’s a 19 percent increase from the previous year.
“Estimates say that nearly 700 veterans in North Carolina are experiencing homelessness,” Whichard said. “I look forward to co-chairing this council, working to end veteran homelessness, and continuing North Carolina’s status as a great state for veterans and service members.”
Approximately 6,600 people were experiencing homelessness in the 39 Helene disaster-declared counties, according to the news release. That number increased as a result of Hurricane Helene. The Council for Homelessness Programs will include a focus on Helene recovery to help more people find safe, affordable housing, the news release said.
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