Wake County officials highlight Cornerstone program after moving more than 20 people into permanent housing

At a gathering at Cornerstone, the Wake County Department of Housing celebrated the program’s progress in helping people exit homelessness and move into stable homes. “As the Wake County Department of Housing, we’re proud to always exceed our strategic plan goal of creating and preserving 500 housing units a year,” said Erin Yates, division director for Permanent Housing and Supportive Services.

Lindsay Blank, Cornerstone’s program manager, said the program has achieved measurable outcomes since it began accepting participants in February 2024. “Since moving in our first participant at the February 2024, we’ve now successfully transitioned 21 people from homelessness into permanent housing,” Blank said, adding that staff and partners helped residents secure employment, medical care, disability benefits and mental health services.

Blank illustrated those outcomes with a client story: a participant who required an amputation, received wound care and a prosthetic while at Cornerstone, joined a support group, obtained disability benefits, bought a car and enrolled at Wake Tech before moving into permanent housing. Blank presented the example as evidence of how housing plus wraparound services can support long-term stability.

Susan Evans, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, said the center demonstrates the county’s investment in coordinated housing and health supports. “We can proudly say that hope has come to reality,” Evans said, noting that more than 20 people have transitioned to permanent homes and others into bridge housing. Evans thanked staff and community partners and named members of the board who attended, including Vice Chair Don Myle, Commissioner Vicki Adamson and Commissioner Cheryl Stallings. She also recognized Morgan Mansa Woo as lead of the county’s housing team.

Program staff and officials thanked community partners listed during the event, including COC, the Women’s Center, Heart Center and Place the Table. An unidentified attendee offered brief public comment, underscoring the personal impact of Cornerstone’s services.

County officials framed the event as both a celebration of recent outcomes and a recommitment to continuing investments aimed at ending homelessness in Wake County. Several commissioners and program staff were present to mark the progress and thank partner organizations.