Mary Ann Priester, PhD, MSW
Senior Management Analyst
Mecklenburg County Community Support Services
Since its inception in 2019 , the “One Number” has served as the primary benchmark for the number of people experiencing homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. It provides the best available snapshot of people actively experiencing homelessness and offers critical insight into the minimum number of housing units and subsidies needed today to address that need. The One Number also tracks how people flow into and out of the homeless services system over time.
This week’s blog provides the most recent One Number update, key trends and analysis, and what the latest data mean for Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
LATEST DATA & TRENDS
As of December 31, 2025, there are 2,589 individuals in 2,109 households experiencing homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. This total includes 1,715 single individuals, 151 unaccompanied youth, 194 households with minor children (totaling 659 people), and 36 families with multiple adults (totaling 63 people). Included in the total of 2,589 individuals, 153 are homeless Veterans, and 722 are individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness. Based on these data, the minimum number of households experiencing homelessness right now (and therefore, the minimum number of housing units and/or subsidies needed) in Charlotte-Mecklenburg is 2,109.
Considering inflow (into homelessness) and outflow (out of homelessness), here are some noteworthy trends:
- Between November 2025 and December 2025, there was a 194 person increase in the total number of people experiencing homelessness. There has been a 20% (or 649 person) decrease in overall homelessness since December 2024.
- In December 2025, 706 individuals entered homelessness (inflow) and 447 people exited (outflow). Of the 706 individuals entering homelessness, 59% (414) were newly identified, 10% (68) returned to homelessness from permanent housing, and 32% (227) returned from an inactive status. Of the 447 individuals exiting homelessness, 30% (136) moved to permanent housing and 70% (311) exited homelessness to an inactive status, which means that they had not been engaged in services for the previous 30 days.
- Between November 2025 and December 2025, overall homelessness increased for all populations except multiple adult households which decreased by 3 households (6 people). There was a 10% increase among single adults (158 people), a 22% increase among unaccompanied youth (27 people), a 17% increase among veterans (22 people), and a 4% increase among persons that meet the criteria for chronic homelessness (29 people). Among households with minor children, there was an 8% increase in the number of households (15 households) but only an 8 person increase in the number of persons in households with minor children. Finally, the median number of days it takes to exit homelessness into housing increased by 92 days, from 392 to 484 days, while the average number of days decreased slightly, from 686 to 676 days. The median tells us the typical number of days it takes to exit homelessness into housing while the average includes long-stayers in shelter and people experiencing chronic homelessness.
- According to the most recent One Number data, disaggregated by race and ethnicity, individuals who identify as Black/African American continue to experience homelessness at rates much higher than their proportion of the Mecklenburg County population (75% vs. 33%), while individuals who identify as White, non-Hispanic experience homelessness at a rate much lower than their population prevalence (15% vs. 45%). Individuals who identify as Hispanic/Latino only have a prevalence of 3% in the homeless population but comprise 14% of the Mecklenburg County population; this reflects a possible underrepresentation of the people who experience homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and identify as Hispanic/Latino.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
The December 2025 One Number data show that while overall homelessness has declined compared to last year, people are still entering homelessness faster than they are exiting to permanent housing, and many are staying homeless longer. Month-to-month increases and rising median time to housing point to continued constraints in housing availability, not a lack of system engagement. Inflow and outflow patterns reinforce the importance of sustained housing exits. Most exits in December were to inactive status rather than permanent housing, and a notable number of people entering homelessness returned from inactivity or prior housing. Without sufficient housing and stabilization resources, progress remains tenuous.
The data also make clear the need for targeted, equity-informed investments. Increases among unaccompanied youth, Veterans, and people experiencing chronic homelessness, combined with persistent racial disparities, highlight that different populations face distinct barriers that require tailored, person-centered solutions. Together, these trends indicate that continued reductions in homelessness will depend on expanding access to permanent housing, rental subsidies, and supportive housing, scaling prevention efforts, and on aligning policy and funding decisions with the needs reflected in the data.
