Soon after Guilford County assembled a large committee meant to address the problem of homelessness last year, a homeless person attended the meeting, pulled Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Skip Alston aside, and told him about some programs that the homeless really liked because they were working in South Carolina.
Alston said he was glad to hear it because he wants to hear every idea for solutions that he can.
At the Guilford County Board of Commissioners 2024 two-day retreat last week, the commissioners also got some information – this time from county staff – on how other counties across the state are addressing the problem of homelessness in their communities.
The ideas were provided by staff reports and written information given to the board.
Buncombe County, for instance, conducted a broad-based housing assessment in 2020 to determine the affordable housing needs for the county. County leaders then set a goal of creating 2,750 affordable housing units by 2030. After that, voters then approved a $40 million housing bond referendum to help meet that goal.
In Wake County, 2021 to 2023, the commissioners approved money for about 200 apartment units to be used for affordable housing. This year, Wake County approved a $2.4 million loan to help builders create 55 new affordable homes.
Forsyth County takes a different approach. That county has a home buyer down-payment assistance program and a housing rehabilitation plan to fix up older homes. The county also works closely with the City of Winston-Salem to provide home loan help and there’s also an Urgent Repair Program, meant to help people remain in their homes.
Mecklenburg County helps community partners coordinate to provide “services and subsidies” for struggling families so they don’t end up on the street. Mecklenburg also has specific programs that target people who are homeless and have mental health issues or who have been frequent occupants of the jail.
In 2022, New Hanover County committed $15 million to affordable housing and took part in a joint city-county initiative with Wilmington. Also, the county has plans for Starway Village – a 278-unit multifamily development for low-income families.
One of the ideas discussed at the Guilford County Board of Commissioners retreat involved taking land owned by the county or municipalities and providing it at low or no cost for those willing to build affordable housing.
Guilford County is currently undertaking an attempt to establish new beds for the homeless in the county as well as implement a number of programs that deal with the root causes of homelessness such as substance abuse and mental illness.
Hey Scott, have them call VP Harris. She studies the root causes of open borders. Betting she could advise on root causes of being homeless. The fact that the county and city invite them doesn’t count.
The term “affordable housing” gets thrown around in conversations at the city council and county commissioner’s meetings. Can someone define what the “affordable housing” parameters are as it pertains to Greensboro/Guilford County? That term means different things to different folks and in my mind “affordable housing”, “subsidized housing” and “free housing” are all different things.
I think Mr. couch should build homeless shelters on that vacant land in Summerfield. His money would be guaranteed back from the federal government. He should also build shelters for the migrants, the government will also pay him for that, let’s put that vacant thousand acres or so too good use to help people. Bus all the migrants to Summerfield. There’s plenty of vacant land for them.
“programs that deal with the root causes of homelessness such as substance abuse and mental illness.”
And government handouts that disincentivize providing for yourself, otherwise known as personal responsibility.
Greensboro City plan- GIVE taxpayers money to friends who acquire a motel, hold it for 3 years, pocket money, claim no responsibility, ask for more money
Sound familiar? OR pick-up homeless and drop off at the Mayors residence and Councilwoman, Hightower, Johnson, Wells,Hoffman and Abuzuaiter home. I am confident they would welcome them with open arms?
Skip- you want a solution? take over the cities responsibility and send them the bill.
Everyone should leave people alone. No one should have to go through a cesspool of loops and chains to get an apple. You will want that apple in 50 years.
What the he$$ are you talking about.
I think Mr. couch should build homeless shelters on that vacant land in Summerfield. His money would be guaranteed back from the federal government. He should also build shelters for the migrants, the government will also pay him for that, let’s put that vacant thousand acres or so too good use to help people. Close all the migrants to Summerfield. There’s plenty of vacant land for them.
Mr. Couch
Please read this article and do something to help the homeless, build, homeless elders in Summerfield, some of your vacant land and let’s help these people. Thank you.
Summerfield would be an excellent place for low income housing
We will name the first street Rust street in your honor