Veterans and homelessness: Who uses county services?

One in 10 people experiencing homelessness in the United States in 2014 was a veteran, according to a one-night homelessness count. And according to the most recent one-night homelessness count in Mecklenburg County, 12 percent of the adults found that night to be homeless were veterans. From 2010 to 2015, Mecklenburg County saw a 10 percent increase in homeless veterans.

A number of Mecklenburg initiatives have been launched to try to house veterans experiencing homelessness. How are the veterans who are experiencing homelessness in Mecklenburg County using services that can connect them to benefits and housing? What are the characteristics of these veterans? UNC Charlotte Urban Institute researchers used the Institute for Social Capital Community Database to describe veterans experiencing homelessness who accessed services from the Mecklenburg County Community Support Services Veterans Services Division and/or an agency that enters data into the local Homeless Management Information System.

See previous reports from UNC Charlotte Urban Institute examining housing instability and examining the wait list for Charlotte Housing Authority vouchers.