Addressing Homelessness Through Collaborative Effort in Western Piedland, North Carolina
In a determined step towards addressing homelessness, Western Piedmont region in North Carolina has taken a proactive move. A five-member team, named as Homelessness Response Team, has been formed under the auspices of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments. This team rolls up its sleeves to work collectively with local governments in the counties of Catawba, Burke, Caldwell, and Alexander with a solitary mission – paving a path to alleviate homelessness.
Collaborative team and Its Unique Blend of Expertise
The Homelessness Response Team, comprising Program Manager Chasity Houck and outreach specialists Mary Kendrick, James Anders, Chae Moore, and Ric Smith, brings a unique combination of skills to the table. Their cumulative knowledge envelops a vast range of areas including affordable housing, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and workforce development. Their strategic plan of action involves teaming up with local police departments, making in-person visits to homeless camps, and direct encounters with the homeless population. The underlying goal of this active approach is to gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs, thereby crafting effective responses accordingly.
Backing of Financial Resources and Anticipated Results
The American Rescue Plan, signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, fuels this initiative by allocating $4.2 million. This funding intends to keep the program operational till 2030. The team began its action plan in November, centering their efforts on collecting data and understanding the intricacies of local homelessness. They are also lending their efforts to the point-in-time counts occurring in the above-mentioned counties.
Homelessness in North Carolina: The Wider Context
As this initiative unfolds, it is crucial to view it in the wider context of homelessness in North Carolina. To illustrate, the previous year’s Point in Time (PIT) Count in Wake County marked 683 households and 916 individuals as homeless. As Durham’s volunteers are immersed in the similar count this year, the results for these two counties have yet to be confirmed. This continuous survey, a stipulation from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), seeks to shed light on the challenges encountered by the homeless, while simultaneously providing them with necessary resources. The creation of the Homelessness Response Team in the Western Piedmont region marks another significant stride in fighting homelessness in North Carolina.
The Future of Homelessness in North Carolina
With initiatives like this, the future of homelessness in North Carolina looks hopeful. The collaborative approach taken by the Homelessness Response Team, backed by ample funding and robust support from state agencies, seems poised to make a significant dent in homelessness figures. News come from source of Reader Wall.
