Homelessness is a multi-dimensional, complex experience, social issue and human concern.
Homelessness exists in dimensions. People experience homelessness by natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and tornadoes. Others are homeless by virtue of being farm laborers with the reality of perpetual migration. Others are homeless for economic reasons.
The common perception of homelessness is based on the lifestyle characterized by the absence of conventional, permanent housing. Literal homelessness generally means those who sleep in shelters provided in places-private and public-not intended as a dwelling. Homeless street people are often perceived as homeless by their imperfection, moral failing, and personal bad decisions.
The status of funding for community-based facilities is facing challenges such as insufficient funding, workplace shortages, financial barriers with insurance, and low reimbursement rates during the current fiscal year of 2025.
Another trend of residential dislocation is the decline of low-income housing. Since the 1970’s the United States has seen a significant decline in affordable housing. Housing costs consumed 31 percent of median renters’ income in 2022, compared to less than a fifth in the 1960s.
Gentrification, the process of urban renewal and development that attracts higher-income residents and businesses, is linked to homelessness. This is due to the displacement of lower-income residents, particularly renters who could no longer afford the rising housing costs, and increased competition for limited affordable housing. These factors can lead to homelessness for those unable to adapt to the changing economic landscapes.
Homelessness is an issue across the US, but in Fayetteville, steps are being taken to help mitigate the unhoused population.
The Fayetteville City Council has reviewed a Pallet Shelter Village to address the needs of the homeless population in Fayetteville. Councilperson Brenda McNair sponsored the concept of the Pallet Shelter Village. The Pallet program consists of dignified shelters, a laundry room, a social service area, a community room and bathrooms. The dignity standards of the Pallet Shelter Village are supportive services, hygiene facilities, transportation, safety, and access to food and water. These villages are addressing homelessness in California, Washington State, Oregon, Georgia, and Hawaii and Canada.
The shelter sizes are 70 square feet for accommodation of one to two persons, and 120 square feet to house up to four persons. There is the option of a 120 square feet model with a non-ADA accessible bathroom that can house two people. Each shelter features overhead lights, carbon dioxide and fire alarms, USB ports, heat, air-conditioning and emergency access windows. The shelter is sustainable for 20 years. The cost, inclusive of shipping and assembly, is $24,000 per unit. Non-profits, local government, and private groups have the responsibility to manage and maintain the shelter village.
The Fayetteville City Council voted 6 to 3 not to have the city staff develop a full-scale plan on the Pallet Shelter Village. Brenda McNair, Mario Benavente, and Courtney Banks–McLaughlin voted in favor of the city exploring implementation steps for the Pallet Shelter Village. The Council voted unanimously in a second motion to present the Pallet Shelter proposal at the next City-County Liaison Committee meeting in August 2025.
“Housing initiatives must be paired with comprehensive support services that address mental health and substance abuse challenges. This can involve partnering with local mental health providers and substance abuse treatment centers to ensure that individuals have access to the care and resources they need to transition into stable housing,” said Councilperson McNair.
“It is essential to humanize homelessness by sharing stories that highlight the diverse experiences of individuals affected. Utilizing media campaigns and community outreach to highlight the systemic issues at play can shift the narrative from blame to understanding. Fostering empathy and understanding can be accomplished by education and awareness campaigns can play a crucial role in fostering empathy. By organizing community forums, workshops, and engaging storytelling initiatives, we can help the public see people experiencing homelessness as members of our community with unique experiences and challenges,” she said.
McNair continued, “Evaluating the effectiveness of shelters, social services, and healthcare requires a multifaceted approach, including feedback from the individuals using the services. Continuous data collection and assessment can inform necessary reforms that prioritize client outcomes and support.
"The costs of homelessness is beyond immediate shelter needs and encompasses healthcare costs, emergency services, and criminal justice expenses. Studies suggest investing in prevention and supportive housing is more cost-effective overall compared to the costs incurred by public systems. National estimates are $30,000 to over $100,000 per homeless person with the intersection of healthcare costs, social services, and criminal justice. The illustration using Fayetteville using estimated numbers of 200 homeless people, the estimated range is $55,000 to $11 million on an annual basis,” McNair said.
According to Deborah Brown, Chair of the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Continuum of Care, the approximate count of homeless individuals in Fayetteville is 383.
The economic costs are supportive of the social and public policy of reducing the homelessness population in Fayetteville.
“Transitioning emergency responses to long-term solutions can be implemented by short-term solutions, and should be integrated into broader strategies that address systemic issues such as affordable housing. This policy can include support for mixed-income housing development. Develop stronger partnerships, collaborations, and joint ventures between healthcare providers, social services, housing organizations and community groups. The joint initiatives of these groups will create an integrated approach to the aspects of homelessness. Stakeholders can work together and form coalitions. The coalition can address the local, county, and state levels to influence policy concerning homelessness and integrated services,” McNair said.
McNair’s passion inspires her vision for homelessness within social and public policy.
“As a Council person, I am deeply enthusiastic about addressing homelessness because everyone deserves a safe place to call home. My goal is to create policies that prioritize human dignity and ensure that our local government is responsive to the needs of our most vulnerable citizens,” she said. “My vision to reduce homelessness has short- and long-term objectives. I will implement, within 2 years, more supportive housing initiatives such as Pallet Village to help families in desperate circumstances.
"My five-year objective is an increase in affordable housing units in Fayetteville. The ten-year objective is for Fayetteville to reflect social and public policies as the model city for comprehensive homelessness solutions, experiencing a reduced homeless population through sustained efforts and community engagement.”

(Photo: Workers build shelters in a Pallet Shelter Village. Pallet, a company that creates shelters for homeless individuals, works to provide safe, clean spaces for people to stay. Photo courtesy of Pallet)