PD GEN INFO
What is the main mission of Project Downtown CLT?
To provide essential services to the homeless and impoverished
about how many people are experiencing homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg in 2025?
About 2,400 people
About how many individuals has Project Downtown CLT served in the past 8 years?
Over 5,000 people
What nickname is Charlotte commonly known by?
the queen city
Approximately how many people experience homelessness in the U.S. on a given night?
About 500,000–600,000
Project Downtown believes everyone deserves these three basic things
Food, shelter, and support
what is the biggest reason homelessness is increasing in Charlotte
Lack of affordable housing
Project Downtown doesn’t just provide services—they also build what with the people they serve?
relationships/bonds
Which area tends to have higher poverty rates in Charlotte: north/east or south Charlotte?
North and east Charlotte
About how many people in the U.S. experience homelessness at some point over the course of a year?
1.5–2 million
Where did Project Downtown originally start?
Miami
These two factors are making it harder for people to afford housing in Charlotte
Rising rent and high eviction rates
Volunteers take time to learn what three things about individuals they serve?
Their struggles, their stories, and their needs
In a fast-growing city like Charlotte, what often rises faster than wages?
Cost of living / rent
What percentage of people experiencing homelessness are unsheltered (living on the street, cars, etc.)?
About 35–45%?
In what year was Project Downtown originally Founded?
2007
True or False: Most people experiencing homelessness are unemployed
What makes Project Downtown different from simply handing out resources?
They focus on connection and understanding people
Why might homelessness seem more visible in Uptown even though it exists citywide?
Higher foot traffic / visibility
What percentage of income do experts say makes housing “unaffordable”?
30%
How many sandwiches did Project Downtown start with?
30
If someone has a job but still cannot afford housing, what larger issue does this point to?
The affordable housing crisis / cost of living is too high
Why is building relationships just as important as providing food or supplies?
It helps understand real needs and restores dignity
Charlotte’s rapid growth has led to one major challenge affecting residents—what is it?
Rising housing costs / affordability / traffic / infrastructure strain
Roughly what percentage of people experiencing homelessness are part of family units?
About 25–35%