More Than a Count: The 2026 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Point-in-Time Count

2026 CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG POINT-IN-TIME COUNT

The 2026 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Point-in-Time Count took place on Wednesday, January 21 and Thursday, January 22. This annual effort is required for communities that receive Continuum of Care funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). While federally mandated, the PIT Count represents far more than a compliance activity for Charlotte-Mecklenburg. It is a collective moment when our community comes together to better understand homelessness and the people impacted by it.

In 2025, a total of 2,101 individuals were counted, including 444 people living unsheltered. This year’s Count builds on that foundation and continues the work of gathering meaningful data to inform local solutions.

Alongside HUD-required questions, the survey included locally developed questions focused on resource eligibility, shelter preferences, communication and housing barriers, and reason for homelessness. These insights help guide strategies focused on improving housing stability across the continuum.

PARTNERSHIPS

The Point-in-Time Count would not be possible without strong collaboration across sectors. This year 12 local organizations sponsored over 400 $10 gift cards that were given to people who were surveyed to compensate them for their time. 2026 sponsors included: Always Willing to Serve, Amara Wellness, Hearts and Hands Food Pantry, Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte Coalition, Hearts United for Good, Mecklenburg County CARES Team, Mecklenburg County Continuum of Care, Roof Above, Supportive Housing Communities, The Park Church, The Relatives, United Way of Greater Charlotte, and Veteran’s Bridge Home.

We are also grateful to the Continuum of Care Unsheltered Workgroup and the government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare providers, and community groups that supported both planning and implementation of this year’s PIT.  This collective effort reflects a shared commitment to ensuring everyone counts and to advancing the work needed to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in Mecklenburg County.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Data collection will conclude on January 28th, after which staff will review and prepare the information for submission to HUD. An initial data release will be shared through this blog in late May or early June. A more comprehensive analysis will be published in the 2026 State of Housing Instability & Homelessness Report.

Ending homelessness does not happen in a single night. Ongoing community involvement is essential. Visit www.mecklenburghousingdata.org to explore PIT outcomes and learn more about the One Number, our monthly metric examining homelessness trends.

To stay connected, subscribe to the Building Bridges Blog and the Continuum of Care Weekly Digest. You can also visit the CharMeck CoC website to learn about opportunities to serve on committees and workgroups driving strategic efforts to end homelessness.

We also encourage continued advocacy for permanent, affordable housing. Learn about local issues, attend public meetings, engage elected officials at every level, and share your advocacy efforts with your networks to help build momentum for change.