Housing quality is an important determinant of overall health and well-being. Studies show that there is a direct link between housing quality and physical and mental health. In North Carolina, 1 in 6 households across the state faces severe housing problems, which means that at least one of the following problems is present: overcrowding, (1) high housing costs, (2) or lack of kitchen and/or plumbing facilities. (3,4) In North Carolina, utilizing best-available data, approximately 14,000 households are overcrowded, 18,000 households lack complete plumbing, 24,000 households lack sufficient kitchen facilities, and half a million households face severe cost burden. (4,5) Severe housing problems can exacerbate other housing quality issues such as environmental contaminants and repair issues. Environmental triggers, such as exposure to mold, pests (cockroaches, mice, dust mites), chemicals, dust, pet dander, secondhand smoke, and thirdhand smoke - which lingers in carpets, drapes, and other surfaces and can reiterate, can exacerbate asthma and may be worsened by overcrowding, which increases the risk of respiratory infections and psychological stressors that impact chronic conditions. (6)

On average Cumberland County, 32% of the households spend more of their household income on housing costs. (7)  In 2019, approximately 30,000 rented homes in Cumberland County account for more than  30% of this income on housing costs. Of homes that are occupied, roughly 2,300 lack complete plumbing, kitchen, or telephone service.  Thirty percent of housing units do not have a mortgage.

(1) Overcrowding is defined as having more than 1 person per room of a residence, not inclusive of bathrooms.

(2) High housing costs are assessed according to a cost burden analysis. An individual is severely cost-burdened if his or her monthly housing costs exceed 50% of his or her monthly income. “Housing costs” are defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as mortgage payments, rent payments, insurance payments, property taxes, and utility bills.

(3) The Census Bureau evaluates household facilities according to the presence of six features: hot and cold running water, a flushing toilet, a bathtub or shower, a sink with a faucet, a stove, and a refrigerator. If a home does not have one of these factors, the census recognizes it as lacking in critical facilities (County Health Rankings, Severe Housing Problems).

(4) County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. 2019 County Health Rankings Report: North Carolina. 2019. https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/sites/default/files/state/downloads/CHR2019_NC.pdf.

(5) United States Census Bureau. American FactFinder. American Community Survey. https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/searchresults.xhtml?refresh=t. Published 2017. Accessed May 22, 2019.

(6) Ganesh B, Scally CP, Skopec L, Zhu J. The Relationship Between Housing and Asthma Among School-Age Children. October 16, 2017. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/relationship-between-housing-and-asthma-among-school-age-children.

(7) NCOIM. Cumberland County, North Carolina Health Profile. February 23, 2021. https://nciom.org/counties/cumberland-county/

(8) US Census Bureau. Selected Housing Characteristics. February 23, 2021. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Housing%20Cost%20Burden%20Cumberland%20County,%20North%20Carolina&tid=ACSDP5Y2019.DP04&hidePreview=false

Cumberland County identified leaders who address housing include:

• Fayetteville/Cumberland County Continuum of Care (CoC) on Homelessness
• Cumberland County Community Development
• Operation InAsMuch
• Salvation Army of Fayetteville
• Endeavors (Reveille Retreat)
• The Hope Center Emergency Shelter (single women)
• Connections of Cumberland County 
• United Way
• YWCA
• Department of Social Services of Cumberland County

Homeless Assistance in Cumberland County

The City of Fayetteville supports the Cumberland County Continuum of Care on Homelessness, the lead entity for planning and the coordination of homeless activities in Cumberland County. The city does not receive Emergency  Solutions Grant funds (ESG) and therefore the funding of homeless services is very limited. We remain focused on providing technical support for service providers. The City also funds a limited amount of homeless activities.

The Fayetteville Police Department continues to assign a police officer to provide a uniform way to work with and identify homeless persons. The program has facilitated an effective communications network between the City and local homeless providers. The Homeless Project Officer assists individuals with getting connected with shelter, clothing, food, financial assistance and other necessities. There is also a Family Reunification Program administered by the officer to connect a homeless person with family or to a drug/alcohol rehab facility that is ready to take a new client.

NC Healthy People 2030 Levers for Change (RWJF, How home affects health) include

• Increase living wage employment opportunities

• Enforce fair housing laws

• Improve access to social services and resources for affordable housing

• Increase involvement of community members in decision-making

• Support programs designed to increase homeownership for people of color