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
• Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM)
• Habitat for Humanity
• Opportunity House
• Partners Health Management
• Present Age Ministries
• Serenity House
• WeBuild Concord
• 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. 

Permanent 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. 

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. UPDATED PLAN COMING Fall 2023.

• 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.

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, healthy homes promote good physical and mental health. Good health depends on having homes that are safe and free from physical hazards. In contrast, poor quality and inadequate housing contributes to health problems such as chronic diseases and injuries, and can have harmful effects on childhood development. Poor indoor air quality, lead paint, and other hazards often coexist in homes, placing children and families at great risk for multiple health problems. 

A shortage of affordable housing limits a family or individuals choice about where they live, causing lower-income families to be left with limited options, that primarly include substandard housing in unsafe, overcrowded neighborhoods with higher rates of poverty and fewer resources for health promotion (e.g., parks, bike paths, recreation centers and activities). The lack of affordable housing affects a families’ ability to meet other expense needs, placing many under tremendous financial strain. High housing-related costs place an economic burden on low-income families, forcing them to make decisions between paying for food, heating and/or other basic needs. 

The Cabarrus County Homelessness Task Force and the Cabarrus Housing Collaborative jointly identified eight populations of homeless individuals living in Cabarrus County. The populations listed below were identified because of their unique needs and specific types of housing supports necessary.

• Families with Children (one or two parent)
• Single Adults with Disabilites (male and female)
• Young Adults Aging out of Foster Care (predominantly female)
• Youth Runaways
• Senior Adults (single and married)
• Previously Incarcerated
• Adults Needing Substance Use or Mental Health in-patient treatment and housing supports
• Chronically Homeless

This results supports efforts to address with the following Healthy NC 2030 indicators:

• Health Indicator 9: Severe Housing Problems