CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Homelessness among older populations is a growing issue across the country.  

North Carolina advocates and leaders are partnering up to address it.

What You Need To Know

  •  Data shows a growing trend of adults 55 and up experiencing homelessness

  •  North Carolina advocates and leaders teamed up to address it 

  •  A resident shares how the partnership has changed her life 

Roof Above teamed up with the Mecklenburg County Community Support Services/Housing Innovation and Stabilization Services division to run an affordable housing complex in south Charlotte. The building structure was formerly a hotel. 

Mecklenburg County purchased the hotel, now called Forest Point Place, specifically for adults 55 and up dealing with vulnerabilities like homelessness.

“The project has been in the making since the beginning of the pandemic when Mecklenburg County operated a hotel for older adults living unsheltered who were at risk of morbidity if contracting COVID,” according to a press release from Mecklenburg County.

Shawnte Harvey serves as Roof Above’s program manager at Forest Point Place.

“I think it’s an honor and a privilege to be able to take care of our elders,” Harvey said.

Harvey said tenants started moving into Forest Point Place around July 2023. However, the hotel just wrapped up renovations which allows the tenant capacity to be doubled to around 90-plus.   

Harvey said Forest Point Place is making living affordable and attainable for older adults, at a time when they need these services most.  

“We’re excited to have 72 residents here, and we’re looking forward to being full,” Harvey said.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently found 20% of people experiencing homelessness in America are 55 and older, many being their first time.

National data mirrors at lot of what advocates are seeing in North Carolina.

In a press release, Mecklenburg County stated more than 1 in 4 homeless residents in our area is an adult over 55.

Harvey said the numbers spotlight the importance of having housing like Forest Point Place in a growing city, where residents won't feel cost-burdened. 

"If you don’t have income, you’re not paying rent,” Harvey said. “If you do have income, it’s just 30% of whatever your income is, so if your income is $300 it's just 30%. [We’re] making sure they have money to survive and live life.”

Harvey said she’s thankful to the county for purchasing the hotel, stating the housing efforts are critical for aging populations on fixed incomes being priced out of their homes.

"Even if they could stay in that home, they can't pay $1,600 when they've been paying $650 for the last 20 years,” Harvey said. “How can you keep up? I think Charlotte being a growing city has really impacted 55 and up the most.”

 Lisa Youngblood moved into Forest Point Place seven months ago.

“[Forest Point Place] helped me a lot, it’s helped me get through a lot of things,” Youngblood said.

Prior to that, Youngblood said she lived outdoors in a tent.

“We were in the woods for like 15 years, off and on,” Youngblood said.

Youngblood described this housing as a blessing in her life. 

"We needed this. God does answer prayers,” Youngblood said.

As the property manager, Roof Above is providing Forest Point Place tenants several supportive services like nursing care, job training and connections to substance use interventions.

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