Mecklenburg County Introduces Targeted Health and Human Services in NW Neighborhood Surrounding Catherine Simmons Avenue

Mecklenburg County, in coordination with many community partners, has introduced a strategy for addressing homelessness and other ongoing health and human service issues that have long affected the neighborhood surrounding Catherine Simmons Avenue off Beatties Ford Road in northwest Charlotte.

The collaborative strategy to address unsheltered residents in the neighborhood grew from the work of a task force convened to confront ongoing issues that have gone unaddressed or unresolved for many years. The task force comprises members from Mecklenburg County government, the City of Charlotte, elected officials, community advocates, the faith community, nonprofits, local businesses, law enforcement, and more. Its goal was to develop a strategy to rapidly deploy resources in high-need areas, focusing on street outreach and resources ranging from behavioral and mental health, immunization and testing, emergency shelter, and others.

The enhancement plan includes:

  • Expanded street outreach services with a dedicated team from Hearts for the Invisible. The team will assess needs and connect residents to services and offer transportation to shelter or treatment.
  • Project Outpour will provide mobile showers.
  • Just Do It Movement will assist residents with obtaining N.C. identification and social security cards.
  • Public Health will provide testing services and RAIN will provide HIV support.
  • My Sister’s House and Roof Above’s Giles Center will expand shelter opportunities.

Following a presentation by the Department of Community Support Services/Housing Innovation and Stabilization Services division on Nov. 12, the Board of County Commissioners approved nearly $1 million to support the service expansions, including the dedicated street outreach staff, hygiene services, shelter services, and behavioral health services.

View the presentation below on the unsheltered response strategy to the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

“The challenges in this community did not occur overnight and they will not be resolved quickly,” said County Manager Mike Bryant in his update to the Board on Nov. 18. “The County’s role in this collaboration is centered on providing health and social services and I am happy to share that we have enacted a launch of the service enhancement plan.”

Bryant went on to say that the efforts represent the County’s initial offerings and additional partners are getting involved, including detoxification services from Anuvia and physical health services from Cabarrus-Rowan Health Centers.

To learn more about the state of housing in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and the ongoing work to address homelessness, visit the Housing and Homelessness Dashboard at MecklenburgHousingData.org.