Homelessness Continues to have a Strong-hold in Raleigh, North Carolina – Moore Square Park

Raleigh, N.C. - According to my previous article published on June 06, 2017, Homelessness in Raleigh, North Carolina, “currently there is only one homeless shelter for women that provides housing to women without kids in the Raleigh area.” Yet, due to the lack of beds available, homeless men, as well as homeless women are left to sleep on the streets, or spend all day and night in the Moore Square Park, located in the heart of downtown.

Moore Square Park has become the go-to place for homeless people to hang out, eat free food from the Salvation Army across the street, and socialize before having to check into the shelter at 6:00 pm.

Many of these men and women have been homeless for years and although there are various resources available to assist both homeless men and women, not all are taking advantage of these opportunities, “people have to get themselves together too – it’s kind of a two-way game; sometimes the resources are there, but they don’t really take advantage of them,” says Mike, who has been living in and out of homelessness for about twenty years.

In the future, one can only hope that with time this crisis would be greatly reduced – more affordable housing, mental health services, more facilities that house homeless men and women long-term, and more facilities that support the homeless by providing free clothing and free food.