Orange County commissioners press staff for more detail on homelessness data and shelter capacity

Chair Jean Hamilton and county staff at the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ Jan. 16 retreat pressed for more detailed reporting on people experiencing homelessness and shelter resources.

Kelly Guadalupe, Strategic Planning Manager, presented the county’s strategic-plan performance measures and said 50 cold-weather shelter beds were available this season. "The average is 30 people in Chapel Hill," County Manager Travis Myren said, and the northern Orange County beds were not used and that program was discontinued.

Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford asked whether the cold-weather shelter budget is strained; Myren responded the budget currently looks adequate but staff will continue to monitor. Guadalupe clarified that the slide data referred to the previous winter season and that the term "open" case indicates people who are still experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk, which differs from the point-in-time unsheltered count.

Several commissioners highlighted gaps staff attributed to a shortage of placements and limited rental-support funding. "The Board needs to have a good understanding of the needs in this population so they can make strategic decisions," Chair Hamilton said, asking that the topic be brought back with more detail.

Guadalupe also said staff will update transportation performance measures for the next fiscal year and share those updates with the Board; commissioners tied transit outcomes to access to services for people experiencing homelessness. Vice-Chair Amy Fowler said she hopes fare-free service plus outreach improves outcomes.

Next steps: staff committed to return to the Board with more detailed homelessness data, shelter utilization metrics, and clarified performance measures that could guide budget and program decisions.