The Role of Faith Communities in Addressing Housing Instability and Homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg
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Glennis Davis
Founder and Executive Director
A Giving Heart Project, Inc.
Mary Ann Priester
Senior Management Analyst
Mecklenburg County Community Support Services
Branden Lewis
Management Analyst
Mecklenburg County Community Support Services
Faith organizations play a key role in communities, long before individuals and families enter the formal homelessness response system. They help fill critical gaps by providing food, financial assistance, emotional support, and housing support. Their ability to respond quickly and flexibly makes them essential partners in prevention, crisis response, and long-term stability. In Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Communities of Faith recently completed the Houses of Faith Survey to gain a better understanding of the work being done by local congregations.
This blog provides an overview of findings from the Houses of Faith survey, highlighting the significant role faith communities play across the housing and homelessness Continuum of Care and opportunities to strengthen collaboration.
FAITH COMMUNITIES AS FRONTLINE PARTNERS IN HOUSING STABILITY
A recent survey was conducted with faith communities to gain a better understanding of how they are supporting people in our community experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Survey results show that most respondents are already deeply involved in supporting neighbors facing instability. Sixty-seven percent of the 15 congregations that participated in the survey reported current initiatives serving people who are unhoused or at high risk of losing housing. An additional 20% have initiatives in development. Only a small number of respondents reported no current engagement.
Faith communities often encounter people earlier in the continuum of housing need than formal systems do. For many families, the first signs of instability include empty refrigerators, rising utility bills, difficulty affording transportation, or the need for temporary shelter with friends or family. Congregations step in during these moments. The survey found that 62% of respondents provide food assistance, 39% percent offer shelter or temporary housing support, and 31% percent provide clothing. Many also offer counseling (23%), job readiness support (15%), substance use resources (15%), and basic health services (15%). This early engagement matters and these supports help stabilize households before their situations worsen.
EXPANDING INITIATIVES THAT ADDRESS BOTH INSTABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS
Many congregations are expanding their efforts to respond to both immediate instability and longer-term housing challenges. Survey respondents described initiatives related to workforce training, wellness, food access, and housing-focused programs. A number of congregations are actively exploring or participating in affordable housing development, land partnerships, or transitional housing models. These investments signal a shift from crisis-only responses toward strategies that strengthen housing stability and reduce the risk of future homelessness.
COLLABORATION IS KEY
Faith communities rarely operate in silos. Eighty-seven percent of surveyed congregations partner with at least one community organization, demonstrating that collaboration is central to how faith communities approach both housing instability and homelessness. Common partners include Roof Above, Habitat for Humanity, Crisis Assistance Ministry, and other agencies providing rental assistance, shelter, and basic needs. More than half of congregations also provide financial support to local nonprofits, extending their impact beyond direct services.
Notably, 100% of survey respondents expressed willingness to collaborate further, with 60% selecting “yes” and 40% selecting “maybe” when asked about joining a more coordinated effort. This strong interest shows a readiness among faith partners to work more closely with each other and with system partners to support residents earlier and more effectively across the full spectrum of housing instability.
CAPACITY LIMITS IMPACT
Despite significant engagement, faith communities face real capacity challenges. The most commonly reported challenges include inadequate funding (77%), insufficient volunteers or staff (62%), limited physical space (54%), legal or policy barriers (8%) and a need for stronger partnerships (31%) and training (15%). These challenges hinder the ability of congregations to consistently support households who are struggling with rising housing costs, evictions, unsafe housing, or repeated instability. Strengthening capacity within the faith sector could help ensure that more households receive support upstream before homelessness occurs.
CONNECTIONS TO THE CONTINUUM OF CARE
While many congregations actively assist individuals facing housing instability, not all are connected to the local homelessness and housing Continuum of Care (CoC). Survey data show that 40% of respondents are familiar with the CoC, but 60% are not. Congregations often refer individuals to well-known community organizations rather than directly to coordinated entry. Strengthening connections between faith partners and the CoC can improve referral pathways, reduce duplication, and help households move more quickly from instability to stable housing.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Faith communities play a vital role in strengthening housing stability and responding to homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and there are several meaningful ways to get involved right now. Congregations can support people experiencing homelessness by donating much-needed winter weather items such as sleeping bags, socks, and gloves, for the upcoming Unsheltered Point-in-Time Count which will take place on January 22, 2026. Faith leaders and members can also help by sharing this blog with their networks or connecting others who may be interested in learning more about the Continuum of Care (CoC). Another simple way to stay engaged is by signing up for the Building Bridges Blog and CoC Digest, which provide regular updates, data insights, and opportunities to participate in local efforts.
For faith communities interested in strengthening their impact and deepening collaboration across the housing and homelessness response system, we encourage you to take the next step by participating in the upcoming CoC 101 for Faith Communities session on February 17, 2026, 10AM-11AM. This interactive meeting will introduce the structure and purpose of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Continuum of Care, explain how coordinated entry works, and outline practical ways congregations can partner across the system, from prevention and early intervention to housing-focused solutions. Whether your congregation is already active in this work or exploring its role for the first time, CoC 101 offers a clear path to meaningful engagement, stronger referral connections, and collective action. We invite faith leaders, volunteers, and community members to join us as we work together to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. You can join this virtual meeting by clicking this link: CoC 101 for Faith Communities
SO WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Faith communities are critical partners in addressing housing instability and homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Their early visibility into household struggles, longstanding presence in neighborhoods, and deep commitment to service uniquely positions them to support individuals and families before, during, and after a housing crisis. The Houses of Faith Survey findings show strong engagement, a wide range of existing supports, growing interest in housing-focused solutions, and a willingness among faith organizations for enhanced collaboration. By strengthening partnerships, expanding capacity, and creating more intentional connections to the homelessness response system, Charlotte-Mecklenburg can continue moving toward a community where housing instability is addressed early and homelessness is increasingly rare, brief, and non-recurring.
