CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As we approach a new year, North Carolina organizations are urging community members to reignite their efforts to end homelessness. 

The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports more than 9,000 people are experiencing homelessness in North Carolina. This represents a 1.1% increase from 2020. 

Many of those people are staying in sheltered locations, but others are experiencing non-sheltered homelessness. 

A Charlotte woman is working around the clock to help as many of those neighbors as she can with housing needs. 

Malia Suhren serves as the director of unsheltered housing navigation at Roof Above and is leading a street outreach team that helps people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. 

“We are the folks that bring the services out to meet people where they are,” Suhren said. “So when there is a new encampment, when people end up in unsheltered homelessness, we are the folks that will go out and engage [with] them, build that relationship, and try and create a relationship where they feel like they can trust us. Then create a housing focused plan that supports them and their goals. So if there is anyone who needs services and resources, we are the team that makes sure you do not fall through the cracks. Not everybody is going to want to go to a shelter for [whatever] reason. We want to make sure they are not forgotten and providing them the best service possible.” 

One area, you’ll see Suhren and her team is uptown, along North Tryon Street. 

Suhren said she’s met many people in that area experiencing unsheltered homelessness. She’s hearing their stories while learning ways her team can best support their needs. 

Every person they talk with is treated with love and respect, so it’s evident their well-being is top priority for Roof Above. 

“I often tell my team it’s really important to announce yourself when you’re coming to encampment because that is someone’s home,” Suhren said. “It’s really important to approach people with the same dignity and respect [you would elsewhere].”

Combating homelessness can at times feel tiring for some, but not for Suhren.

Suhren said she re-energizes herself daily to do the work she loves. 

“It’s an honor to help people,” Suhren said. “I feel super passionate about this work.” 

She’s encouraging more people and organizations to reignite their fight to help others and not allow fatigue to set iin. 

“It’s not slowing down at all,” Suhren said. “It’s a community solution.”

Roof Above and other partners recently teamed up to tackle public fatigue on the big screen. 

The Independent Picture House hosts The Community Impact Film Series, an event that sparks conversations on issues important to communities.  

The latest film titled @home addressed homelessness.

The documentary confronted public fatigue towards homelessness, while inspiring others to tackle solutions neighborhood by neighborhood.