RALEIGH, N.C. – The program manager for a major nonprofit said a new round of federal funding could put a serious dent in Wake County's homelessness problem.
Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Matt Calabria on Thursday announced $10 million to expand homeless shelter capacity
The money comes from the American Rescue Plan Congress passed in the spring
It's part of a broader effort to address a number of inequities in Wake County
Nonprofits say the money will help their efforts indirectly as well as directly
Erin Yates said for her team at Triangle Family Services, the chief obstacle is having enough money to help cover rent for people just coming out of homelessness. Triangle Family Services' programs include helping people experiencing homelessness secure first temporary, then permanent housing, often in partnership with other area nonprofits. She said the rent issue has become especially problematic as landlords' wallets have run dry due to pandemic-related rent deferrals.
“They may have been willing to work with us before and now just financially have to go with a higher-paying tenant because they lost so much over the last year,” she said.
Yates' team could be about to receive a boost. During his State of the County address Thursday evening, Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Matt Calabria announced the county will use $62 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund a new program called Elevate Wake. Among other things, $12 million will go toward a social determinants of health network, in partnership with Duke Community Health, to systematically address issues including access to healthy food and transportation options for lower-income residents. Another $10 million will go toward expanding capacity at homeless shelters and boosting services for the homeless.
“The pandemic shined a light on areas where we've long had room for improvement,” Calabria said. “My colleagues and I have chosen to utilize ARP funds not just to address immediate COVID-related needs but to rebuild our community better than it was before.”
Yates said the $10 million homelessness investment will be a game-changer. She said the key is to not just get people into housing but also ensure they don't return to the streets. That means assistance with rent, utilities and job applications, at least in the short term.
“I feel like we could almost resolve it,” she said. “The thing is, we need homes for our folks, we need them to be able to have the medication and the support that they need to get back on their feet, and the hope is this one-time assistance could help us really put a dent in the problem.”
Wake County officials said they haven't yet finalized which organizations will receive ARP funding. Yates said while she hopes Triangle Family Services gets some, her team likely will benefit even if the money goes to other groups. She said sending additional funding toward addressing any one facet of homelessness will take the pressure off of everyone in the system.
