Wanderlust World Wanderlust World According to the 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 15,382 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2020 in North Carolina. This figure includes individuals in emergency shelters, transitional housing, and unsheltered locations.
It is critical to note that this data predates the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted housing stability, employment, and shelter capacity. Subsequent counts (2021–2023) have shown fluctuations due to eviction moratoria, rental assistance programs, and economic recovery patterns. For current figures, consult the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness, the NC Department of Health and Human Services, or the latest HUD AHAR reports. Local Continuums of Care (CoCs) in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and other regions also publish community-level data.