The state of housing in Winston–Salem

Across the United States, the housing crisis continues to grow, leaving millions of Americans without stable and affordable homes. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report: Part 1, more than 770,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024 – a staggering 18% increase from the previous year. While progress has been made in some areas, such as an 8% decrease in homelessness among veterans, the broader issue remains a pressing challenge for the nation.  In North Carolina, the crisis is equally dire. According to the N.C. Housing Coalition, 28% of households – about 1,118,220 residents – are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. These figures highlight a significant barrier to stability and economic mobility for a large portion of the state’s population.  In Winston-Salem, the crisis mirrors these broader trends but carries unique local implications. Rising home prices, limited affordable housing options, and systemic barriers leave many residents struggling to find or retain housing. For individuals like Micheal, a local man who experienced homelessness, the housing crisis is not just statistics – it is a daily battle.  Micheal, who has wrestled with behavioral health...