CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Homeless rates among children are at their highest rates ever in Mecklenburg County, officials said.

In new numbers released Thursday night, the homeless population for children increased 11 percent from January 2008 to January 2009.

Overall, the number of homeless in Mecklenburg County jumped 22 percent during that time.

"The problem is that the resources, which are excellent, are not at the scale of that growth," Peter Safir said, Mecklenburg County Homeless Services director. "So we're falling behind."

A shelter for families called Hall House opened in Uptown less than two months ago.

Officials there said they've been able to place four families so far in permanent housing.