The "Story Behind the Curve" helps us better understand data associated with a specific result we want to achieve. When we look closely at data and engage partners that can provide context to positive or negative factors that influence the data's trajectory, we can better identify strategies and interventions that can turn the (data) curve in the direction that improves the well-being for those in our community.

The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a physical count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons on the last Wednesday in January. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that Continuums of Care (CoCs) to conduct an annual count of homeless persons who are sheltered in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Safe Havens on a single night. CoCs also must conduct a count of unsheltered homeless persons every other year (odd numbered years), although the count for unsheltered individuals was not conducted in 2021 due to COVID-19. Each count is planned, coordinated, and carried out on a local level. The Cabarrus County Homelessness Task Force works closely with Community Link, Cabarrus County's CoC agency, to complete the point-in-time count. 

The Point-in-Time Count follows HUD's definition of homeless: People who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided. Formerly, individuals who were paying to live in a hotel or motel and those who were 'couch-surfing' with friends and family were also classified as homeless, but with the definition change there was a decline in the homeless population count, although many community members were still living in unstable housing sitiuations.

Both Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools participate in the Cabarrus County Homelessness Task Force and provide annual data on the number of homeless students identifed through out the school year. Data for the 2020-2021 school year is missing due to lack of in person learning, and the inability of school social workers, counselors and teachers to keep track of all students.

What's helping? These are the positive factors or influences that are working in our community.

• Expansion of The Salvation Army Night Shelter
• Cabarrus County Housing Collaborative
• Cabarrus County Homelessness Task Force
• Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
• Joint critical repair efforts - a joint review of applicaiton to ensure that funds are being maximized at the county level (City of Concord, City of Kannapolis, Habitat for Humanity)

What's hurting? These are the negative factors or influences that are working in our community.

• Cost of living increases
• Economic impact of COVID-19 - lay-offs for individuals in positions that did not allow for teleworking
• Mental health and substance use treatment - without adequate treatment, an individuals replapse can quickly cause for loss of job, housing, and social supports

In an effort to better educat teh community on trends and needs of the Cabarrus homeless populations, the Cabarrus County Homelessness Taskforce disseminates a quarterly homelessness data dashboard. The most recent dasboard of indicators from several organizaitons and non-profits is below.

The list of non-profit and community based organizations below are actively engaged in the development and implementation of the Community Health Improvement Plan addressing homelessness in Cabarrus County. Physical housing infratstructure is not the only form of housing support necessary when an individual or family find themselves seeking emergency shelter.

• AYA House
• Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network (CVAN)
• City of Concord
• City of Concord Housing Department
• City of Kannapolis
• Community Link
• Concord Family Enrichment Association
• Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM)
• Habitat for Humanity
• Opportunity House
• Present Age Ministries
• Serenity House
• The Open Door House
• The Salvation Army

Emergency Shelters are often where people experiencing chronic homelessness or the impact of sudden economic shock may first turn for support through a wide range of services. 

Emergency Housing Voucher programs are specifically designed for households who are:

• Homeless;
• At Risk of Homelessness;
• Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking;
• Recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability.

Coordinated entry and assessment can be used to differentiate the majority of people experiencing an acute housing crisis from the minority experiencing chronic homelessness, and to refer each group to the appropriate interventions. Accurate identification of those who are most likely to develop chronic patterns of homelessness in the future, in order to provide services to preempt this shift, is not feasible at this time.

Eviction Prevention Programs provide financial assistance to help renters facing eviction stay in their homes.  Programs provide assistance in the form of a grant that covers back rent owed, as well as court fees and late payment fees, where applicable. Programs may also provide caseworkers to eligible households to help them apply for government benefits and search for housing. Some also require or offer budgeting workshops and/or financial counseling for tenants receiving grants. These programs may be one tool of many that jurisdictions use to prevent evictions and encourage housing stability. Other eviction-prevention tools might include provision of legal services to tenants facing eviction, good cause eviction protections, or longer-term rental assistance. Local governments may choose to administer eviction prevention programs themselves, or they may provide support to non-profit agencies that provide these services.

Transitional Housing has long sense been a part of the housing continuum and is an intermediate step between emergency crisis shelter and permanent houseing. While temporary, it is a type of accommodation that is meant to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing by offering structure, supervision, support (including for individuals struggling with substance use or mental health), life skills, and in some cases, education and training. 

Supportive Housing is a highly effective strategy that combines affordable housing with intensive coordinated services to help people struggling with chronic physical and mental health issues maintain stable housing and receive appropriate health care.  Supportive housing features:

Several initiatives were recently (September 2021) funded though the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan/Cabarrus Recovery Grants. Cabarrus Health Alliance and Healthy Cabarrus will work with community partners to identify strong performance measures that can be reported either monthly, quarterly or annually. 

• Cooperative Christian Ministry - Purchase or build a 90+ room hotel, uadrupling CCM’s current emergency and transitional housing capacity. Serve 180-220 adults and children.
• Operation Decisive Victory - Serve the rising number of homeless and at-risk families specifically within the veteran and first responder communities.
• Opportunity House - The day shelter provides assistance to an average of 43 people a day including meals, showers, and healthcare, but also computer lab sessions, for continuing education; and clothing closet visits, to keep cool or warm depending on the season.