CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Roof Above is one of four homeless resource organizations opening its doors for those living on the streets as temperatures drop below freezing in Charlotte.
“We make sure that the three shelters that we have are not capped by the numbers of how many cots. So safely we figure ‘How many of these mats can we put on the ground so that people can come into our shelter?’ We have extra meals to prepare, extra supplies to have,” says Randall Hitt, Vice President of Unsheltered Services.
Hitt says they have more than 530 spaces open for those in need and have opened even more space during the cold season. They extend their hours so those who choose to tough out the cold can escape the low temperatures as early as possible.
However, Hitt says their mission isn’t seasonal.
MORE | Charlotte organizations providing space for homeless during extreme cold
“Because it’s so extremely cold that really does raise the level of consciousness for a lot of people in the community around people experiencing homelessness who spend most of their time outside. Experiencing homelessness is something that is going on year-round in our community. And I think what it really focuses on is the lack of housing for everyone in our community,” Hitt said.
Mecklenburg County’s recent point-in-time numbers agree. Nearly 2,800 people are in need in the county. Officials say there’s almost a 28,000-unit gap in affordable rental units for extremely low-income households who are at or below 30% of the area median income.
Sixty-five percent of eviction cases filed during the fiscal year of 2024 were granted in full or part, a 5% increase from the previous year. Eviction filings increased 37% in the past year, resulting in an additional 13,000 Mecklenburg households at risk of losing their homes and/or acquiring an eviction record, officials say.
Data shows 384 people experienced unsheltered homelessness in 2024, it was 288 people in 2023.
MORE | Charlotte nonprofit provides warm meal, shelter as temperatures drop below freezing
Roof Above officials say the increase in local numbers reflects what staff sees in their day-to-day interactions with people seeking services.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released its 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, which showed an 18.1% increase in homelessness across the nation.
“These data points represent individual people in a housing crisis,” says Roof Above CEO Liz Clasen-Kelly. “We continue to see the connection between rising rents and the increase of homelessness. As our community grows and prospers, we must protect and create affordable housing solutions.”
“The numbers are increasing. And I think what we’re finding also is that the number of people who are outside in streets living in their car, living in encampments, that number is rising in our community,” Hitt said. “We’ve been able to identify people that previously weren’t seen. And I think that’s the thing about homelessness is some people believe it’s the number of people that you simply see under the bridge in uptown or that people that are very visible. But there are so many people that are very hidden as well that we are uncovering by going out there and meeting them where they are,”
After volunteers connect with those who need help, Roof Above offers short and long-term services including a housing program that helps sustain housing.
“The core mission of Roof Above is to end homelessness. That’s what we work every day trying to accomplish,” Hitt said.
They plan to operate on extended hours until at least January 25 before they reassess what the weather looks like.
Like other resource organizations, they appreciate donations from the community. Hitt says they’re always looking for basic supplies like cold-weather clothing and food.
The best way for homeless people to get help is by word of mouth. Contact Roof Above if you want to help, donate, or volunteer.
