Homelessness is a complex and pervasive issue, affecting communities across the nation and challenging our collective commitment to ensuring housing access for all. At Good Shepherd Center, we have long understood that solving homelessness requires more than temporary solutions. It demands sustainable pathways to stability, independence, and dignity for the most vulnerable among us. There is no greater prevention of homelessness than having adequate units of housing affordable to area residents across the economic spectrum and, at the same time, we cannot move seniors, families with children, veterans and others out of homelessness without a sufficient inventory of affordable rentals.

The National Context: Homelessness in America

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, on any given night, more than 770,000 people in the United States experience homelessness. While there may be any number of contributing factors that make someone vulnerable to housing loss, the chief driver is economic in nature—the mismatch between people’s incomes and the incomes they need to afford even a modest place to live. This crisis disproportionately affects individuals with disabilities, families with children, and communities of color. Chronic homelessness, in particular, represents one of the most persistent andchallenging facets of this issue. Defined as homelessness lasting a year or longer, or experienced over repeated episodes, and accompanied by a disabling condition, chronic homelessness accounts for as much as 19% of the overall homeless population.
 
Research consistently shows that Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is one of the most effective solutions for addressing chronic homelessness. By combining an affordable apartment (rent calculated at 30% of income) with wraparound supportive services, PSH empowers individuals to overcome barriers, manage the challenges brought on by their disabilities, and achieve long-term stability. In addition to ending the homelessness of the most fragile of neighbors,residents’ reliance on public systems like the ER and shelters drops dramatically. It is this proven, evidence-based modelthat inspires and informs our work at Good Shepherd Center.
 
The Local Context: Homelessness in Wilmington

Closer to home, the Wilmington area mirrors many of the challenges seen at the national level, with rising housing costs and limited availability of affordable units contributing to local homelessness. According to data from the CapeFear Homeless Continuum of Care, almost 600 people experience homelessness on any given night in the Tri-County area. This includes families with children, veterans, those grappling with chronic homelessness—and significantly increasing numbers of seniors age 60 and above.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, the Cape Fear area experienced an overall decline in the homeless population over a period of more than 10 years. As early as 2008, Good Shepherd Center played a key role in driving down the annual number of area residents experiencing homelessness. By focusing on housing-centered solutions, we’ve helped thousands of single adults and families with children make successful returns to stable housing—and stay there. The headwinds have increased, however, including a 50% increase in area rents over the past five years, far outpacing resident incomes from work and disability assistance. Sadly, this economic pressure, exacerbated by the pandemic, has reversed much of the progress our community had achieved.
 
Good Shepherd by the Numbers
 
In 2024 alone, Good Shepherd provided emergency beds to over 330 unduplicated adults and children, totaling more than 36,000 nights of safe shelter, and Day Shelter services to another 316 unhoused individuals. Our Martin Street location served almost 128,000 hot meals through the Soup Kitchen and another 76,500 meals through a weekly Grocery Giveaway. Our Rapid Rehousing and Bridge Housing programs transitioned 193 adults and children from shelter to housing, in addition to 21 homeless veterans. Between them, SECU Lakeside Reserve and the Sgt. Eugene Ashley Center provided housing stability and supportive services to 48 individuals with serious disabilities who hadbeen chronically homeless. These outcomes reflect the breadth of our effort, and highlight the scale of support required, to address homelessness and food insecurity in our greater Wilmington community.

How You Can Make a Difference

Ending homelessness requires collective action. By resolving to get to know Good Shepherd better this year, you become a part of the solution. Here’s how you can help:
 

1.     Learn:

• Visit the National Alliance to End Homelessness website (naeh.org or endhomelessness.org) to explore data, trends, and Best Practices.

• Read Homelessness Is a Housing Problem or watch Dr. Gregg Colburn’s presentation for a deeperunderstanding of how the acute lack of affordable housing drives homelessness.
  • Explore our efforts at goodshepherdwilmington.org.

2.     Spread Awareness & Advocate:

• Share quality information about homelessness and effective solutions, such as Permanent Supportive Housing.

• Use your voice to support policies that expand resources for affordable housing and homelessness prevention.

3.     Volunteer:

• Join us in serving meals, assisting with our grocery giveaway, or helping behind the scenes. Even a few hours can make a profound impact.

4.     Donate:

• Financial contributions directly support our shelter, meal programs, housing initiatives, and the Homefor Good Campaign. In-kind donations—food, clothing, hygiene supplies—help meet basic daily needs, allowing us to focus resources on housing placements.

 
Thank you for standing with us in 2025 and working toward a future where every Cape Fear resident enjoys theimproved health and well-being that come with having a place to call home.
 
Katrina Knight