CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New data from federal officials reported the homeless population is up nationwide.
The report said there's been a 12% increase from the beginning of 2023.
The data said 653,000 people have experienced homelessness in 2023. That figure is up over 70,000 people. This is the highest number since the county began the yearly county point-in-time survey in 2007.
"Do we want to keep seeing people in the streets?" Jessica Moreno with Action NC asked.
The data said a few factors contributed to this. The factors included the expiration of governmental programs like rental assistance and stimulus payments. It also cited high inflation.
Looking closer to home, dates in Mecklenburg County showed times are tough for some. A recent report from UNC Charlotte's Urban Institute said eviction filings are up in 2023 by 40%. It said it has impacted around 7,000 people. Moreno said their rent prices are increasing year-over-year, and affordable housing is not catching up.
“Do we want to keep seeing families displaced," Moreno said. "Or do we want housing as a human right? "They didn’t care they were displacing me and my neighbors and my family.”
Moreno said she's been a victim of corporate landlords buying up affordable housing in Charlotte. She said she's been priced out and was forced to move out of Charlotte.
“I felt horrible, I felt like Mecklenburg County didn’t value me as a person, as a human," Moreno said.
