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Who Are We?
Oak City Cares is a hub for connecting individuals and families, who are at risk of, or are experiencing homelessness, to coordinated services that create a path to stable housing and renewed hope.
Our staff coordinates services offered by human service
professionals, medical providers, and other specialists from multiple partners at one location.
Oak City Cares replaces the Oak City Outreach Center, previously located near Moore Square with a facility that is six times larger.
Since 2014, the Oak City Outreach Center served 1,200-1,800 meals each weekend in a collaboration among the City, the Raleigh/Wake Partnership to End and Prevent Homelessness, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, private funders, and the generosity of more than 70 volunteer organizations and faith communities.
Hear More About Oak City Cares
Who is homeless in Wake County?
Nearly 5,500 people in Wake County experienced homelessness last year, and that number increased by 25% over the prior year, even as it declined in North Carolina overall. On any given night in Wake county, approximately 1,000 people are homeless. In the 2016-2017 school year, nearly 3,500 students in Wake County Schools were identified as homeless.
Why are people homeless?
The reasons for homelessness are complex:
- The fast-growing Wake County population (66 people per day)
- A lack of affordable housing
- Barriers to accessing services.
Individuals and families remain in homelessness much too long while trying to navigate the multitude of services, going from agency to agency and often not knowing which services will best meet all of their needs. When people remain homeless for long periods, they become isolated and lose hope due to the lack of social supports that are necessary for anyone to overcome homelessness.
Our Provider Partners
These organizations are part of the ever-growing list of those collaborating to provide medical assistance, behavioral health care, veterans’ services, outreach, employment services, and coordination of care and support to Oak City Cares guests. Visit our Providers Page for the full list of partners.
