'We don't have anywhere to go': Wake County still sorting out emergency shelter plans ahead of Hurricane Ian, upcoming winter season

RALEIGH, N.C. — There is a major concern about the homeless population in Wake County. There is currently no county-sponsored place for people without homes to seek shelter from the elements, be it the heavy rain forecast from Hurricane Ian or the chill of the upcoming winter.

Current shelters are full, and there is not a permanent emergency center in the county.

In the winter, White Flag nights are those when the temperature or windchill is expected to be below 35 degrees.

Whether rain, chill or ice and snow, those without homes in Wake County have nowhere to go.

“We don’t have a building,” said Kim Crawford, executive director for Raleigh/Wake Partnership to End Homelessness. “We will be entering into a crisis situation pretty [quickly].”

Crawford said the organization started looking for a building in April.

“When the temperature drops, we don’t have anywhere to go and spend the night,” Crawford said.

Crawford said the Raleigh/Wake Partnership to End Homelessness is looking for a new location that fits the following criteria:

Last year, St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church hosted the emergency shelter at its former location at 622 Maywood Avenue in Raleigh. The church was leasing its former location, and knew years in advance the lease would not be renewed.

This year, the church has agreed to coordinate shelter efforts but needs help finding a location. Also, the city of Raleigh has set aside $150,000 to support St. John’s effort once they find a space.

Pastor Vance Haywood said homeless people have approached him concerned about no shelter being available. He said he’s been in communication with city staff several times per week.

“We have the supplies, we have the people, we’ve got the city offering to fund it, we just need a building,” Haywood said. “We just don’t have a place to put everything.”

Haywood and Crawford explained the severity of the situation.

“The reality is if we don’t have space to put people, people die, and that’s whether or not we have a space or enough space,” Haywood said. “People die of exposure if we don’t provide this.”

Crawford echoed Haywood’s sentiments.

“We have to recognize today that homelessness is life or death,” Crawford said. “Period.”

Sean Parker has experienced homelessness for six years in the Triangle.

“Nobody should be on these streets regardless of who they are or what their mentality is,” Parker said. “Everyone deserves a place to stay.”

Prior to COVID-19, existing shelters would open their doors to people needing a warm place to stay. Right now, those shelters are at maximum capacity. They do not overcrowd those facilities given COVID and monkeypox still spreading.

Wake County spokesperson Leah Holdren provided the following response about funding for White Flag.

“Funding for White Flag has only been necessary for the last two seasons, when the community had to change the way that White Flag was run due to COVID-19 constraints,” Holdren wrote. “Before 2020, the existing shelters just opened up additional floor space.

“When COVID-19 hit, that was no longer an option, so the separate WF shelter model was born. Wake [County] funded White Flag in 2020 and Raleigh funded them in 2021. Raleigh already has funding set aside for 2022 and Wake is waiting for the community to develop their plan to determine what additional funding may be necessary. I’m waiting on additional info of dollar amounts.”

In the short term, the hope is for a space that can be donated or leased.

“We, as a compassionate society, have to recognize that and someone can step up and help,” Crawford said.

In the long term, advocates said they need a permanent day shelter for those experiencing homelessness. They also want to use the space as a warming shelter when needed.

WRAL Weather reports that temperatures dipped below 35 degrees on:

Steven Hale, who is experiencing homelessness, said he will need a place to stay.

“I know it’s about to get cold,” Hale said. “It’s like a race against the clock.”