North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein on Wednesday named members to a multi-agency group aimed at preventing growing homelessness and increasing affordable housing in the state.
The Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs seeks to strengthen cooperation among government agencies and nonprofit and private organizations that advocate or provide services for the homeless.
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The council will be co-chaired by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Policy Director Karen Wade and North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Chief of Staff Jessica Whichard, Stein’s office said Wednesday.
“All of us benefit when people have a safe place to call home,” Stein said in a statement. “Right now, we do not have enough homes, and the homes we have cost too much. Cost is a major cause of homelessness and a major barrier when people are trying to return to housing.”
About 11,500 North Carolinians experienced homelessness in 2024, including more than 3,200 families with children, more than 500 unaccompanied homeless youth, and nearly 700 veterans, according to state estimates. The numbers were up 19% from 2023, according to the state, which attributed the increase in part to Hurricane Helene, the most destructive storm in state history.
The council — created in 1992 by Gov. Jim Martin — is expected to focus in part on Helene recovery, Stein’s office said.
The council advises the governor, state agencies and external partners on issues related to housing stabilization, services for the homeless or those at risk of homelessness, and strategies to reduce and end homelessness. Members of the council can be found here.