Duke Energy Foundation donates 500K to expand housing for homeless

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Roof Above, Charlotte’s leading provider of services for people experiencing homelessness, announced Monday that the Duke Energy Foundation donated $500,000 to the organization to help expand housing for people who have been homeless for a year or longer.

The donation will go toward Roof Above’s efforts to replicate the success of Moore Place, its 120-unit apartment community that provides housing and on-site services to address issues that can hamper residents’ ability to keep housing.

Moore Place has a retention rate of more than 85% and has dramatically decreased the usage and cost of emergency room medical treatment for those who become residents.

“We know permanent housing with on-site supportive services can end chronic homelessness, and we are so grateful for Duke Energy Foundation’s investment in this proven strategy,” said Roof Above CEO Liz Clasen-Kelly. “This gift will not only will help our most vulnerable citizens but also will benefit our larger community.”

The Duke Energy Foundation hopes its investment will prompt other donors to rally around the development of supportive housing. In appreciation, Roof Above will name learning labs for Duke Energy at its emergency shelter that’s under construction on Statesville Avenue and at its next supportive housing project.

“This work would be impossible without philanthropists and corporate partners like Duke Energy who are willing to take on what we believe is one of Charlotte’s most pressing issues,” Clasen-Kelly said.

Rising rents and decreasing availability of affordable housing has fueled a housing crisis and increased homelessness across Charlotte-Mecklenburg. An estimated 545 people are currently experiencing chronic homelessness, meaning they have been without a home for a year or longer and also have a disabling condition that makes it difficult to access and retain housing. Street homelessness has also become more visible during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and has been particularly illuminated by an encampment of more than 100 tents near uptown Charlotte.

Families in over 30 apartment complexes eligible to have rent paid Families in over 30 apartment complexes eligible to have rent paid

Cox Media Group