Wake County is dedicated to enhancing health and well-being for all. We are committed to addressing affordable housing and homelessness and supporting a comprehensive range of healthcare services in the community to ensure your well-being. This includes access to essential benefits and assistance programs.
We identified five strategic goals that address various aspects of community health and well-being. We encourage you to explore each goal to understand our rationale, view community and key performance indicators, and find links to other comprehensive plans and resources.
Goal 1: Create and preserve 2,500 affordable housing units by 2029.
Rationale:
In Wake County, we work to ensure that every resident has access to a safe, affordable home. The County implements programs that create and preserve affordable housing units. We oversee development assistance programs that incentivize the construction of affordable and permanent supportive housing units, addressing the acute needs of low-income, cost-burdened households. The County’s preservation fund is a visionary commitment to preserving and maintaining affordable rental housing units for residents and averting displacement. Homeowner assistance and rehabilitation programs empower low-income individuals to maintain and improve their homes, enhancing living conditions and not displacing long-standing residents from their neighborhoods.
Wake County and our partners can directly influence the housing market by leveraging local government-owned land for affordable housing projects. We support affordable housing opportunities along transit corridors that provide accessibility and connectivity. These efforts underscore Wake County’s commitment to increasing the number of affordable housing units and protecting existing affordable housing.
Supporting Indicators and Metrics:
| Indicator | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homes Created or Preserved | 884 | 1,032 | 349 | 707 | Jan 2024 |
| Indicator | CY 2020 | CY 2021 | CY 2022 | CY 2023 | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number / Rate of Cost-Burdened Renters (US Census, 5-yr est.) | 62,151 / 43.4% | 65,507 / 45.1% | 68,533 / 46.4% | --- | Jan 2024 |
| Number / Rate of Cost-Burdened Homeowners with a Mortgage (US Census, 5-yr est.) | 36,276 / 18.4% | 38,363 / 18.9% | 39,430 / 19.2% | --- | Jan 2024 |
Goal 2: By 2029, make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring by reducing the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness by 10% from 2024 levels.
Rationale:
As a partner, Wake County actively engages with the community to create and implement solutions that support those experiencing homelessness. Non-profits, faith-based organizations, local governments, and other stakeholders are crucial in addressing homelessness with a compassionate response. These responsibilities extend beyond financial support, resources, and logistics. By pooling resources, sharing expertise, and coordinating efforts, Wake County is a partner that enhances the efficacy of our community’s homelessness programs.
Key to this support is crisis housing and shelter solutions that offer immediate relief to individuals and families in distress and ensure they have access to a secure place to stay. Providing shelters on white flag nights exemplifies a proactive and humane approach during extreme weather, ensuring no one is vulnerable to harsh elements.
Supporting Indicators and Metrics:
| Indicator | CY 2020 | CY 2021 | CY 2022 | CY 2023 | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness During the Annual Point-in-Time Count | 974 | 912 | 1,534 | 916 | Jan 2024 |
Goal 3: By 2029, 5% more residents asked will indicate low barriers to healthcare and behavioral health services, such as access to providers, insurance coverage, affordability and appointment wait times.
Rationale:
By ensuring access to a robust network of resources, Wake County can help improve its residents’ quality of life. Expanding access to medical and behavioral health treatment is critical—and residents need affordable range of healthcare services and providers close to where they live and work. Enlisting our community partners’ help and utilizing existing regional centers will increase efficiency, allowing the County to provide more treatment services.
Residents with medical or behavioral needs should have more options for health and mental crises outside of the emergency room. Through partnerships, awareness campaigns, and funding, Wake County supports individuals who seek help. These efforts aim to dismantle stigma, encourage early intervention, and foster a supportive environment for recovery.
Supporting Indicators and Metrics:
| Indicator | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Medicaid Participants (unduplicated) | --- | --- | 2,267,947 | 2,419,430 | Nov 2023 |
| Total number of medical visits at all Wake County Health Clinics | --- | 63,661 | 69,929 | 68,798 | Nov 2023 |
| Total number of prescriptions filled annually at the Wake County Health and Human Services Pharmacy | --- | 34,945 | 31,679 | 28,841 | Nov 2023 |
| Indicator | CY 2020 | CY 2021 | CY 2022 | CY 2023 | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health insurance coverage (US Census) | --- | 91.8% | 92.6% | --- | Jan 2024 |
| Suicide rate per 100k population -- All Ages | 11.6 | 8.9 | --- | --- | May 2023 |
| Suicide rate per 100k population -- Age 10-19 | 7.1 | 3.2 | --- | --- | May 2023 |
| Suicide rate per 100k population -- Age 65+ | 11.2 | 11.3 | --- | --- | May 2023 |
| Overdose deaths per 100k population | 18 | 22 | --- | --- | Nov 2023 |
| Cost of Health Care Index for Raleigh/Cary metro area (national average is 100) | --- | --- | --- | 111.6 | Jan 2024 |
Comprehensive Plans and Key Resources:
- Behavioral Health Plan (FY22-23)
- Blueprint to Dismantle Systemic Racism (2022)
- Community Health Improvement Plan 2022-2025
- EMS Master Plan
- Infant Mortality 2020 Workgroup Report
- Live Well Wake
- Wake County Crisis System Assessment Report
- Wake County Health and Human Services Master Plan
- Wake County Opioid Settlement Plan
Goal 4: By 2029, three out of four residents asked will indicate low barriers to accessing benefits and assistance programs and resources, such as food and utilities, childcare, employment services, housing, etc.
Rationale:
Wake County plays a critical role in safeguarding vulnerable residents by facilitating access to benefit and assistance programs that address a wide range of critical needs. By processing food stamps and WIC applications, Wake County connects families and individuals to nutritional support that nourishes and sustains them. Partnering with food pantries and other food partners, Wake County helps those who are hungry access healthy, culturally appropriate food. Childcare assistance services enable parents to pursue employment or education while knowing their children are cared for in a safe, nurturing environment. Employment services equip job seekers with the tools and skills necessary for meaningful work, fostering economic independence.
Housing assistance programs address the basic need for shelter, preventing homelessness and promoting housing stability. Utility assistance programs keep homes safe and habitable and prevent the harsh choices between cooling or warmth and food or medicine. Veteran benefits acknowledge and support those who have served, ensuring they receive the resources and care they deserve. Wake County is a community determined to lift each other up, ensuring that every resident has the chance to live their best life, feels supported and nourished in every way possible.
Supporting Indicators and Metrics:
| Indicator | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women, Infants and Children (WIC) average participation per month | --- | 18,493 | 19,602 | 21,501 | Nov 2023 |
| Indicator | CY 2020 | CY 2021 | CY 2022 | CY 2023 | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Insecure Population (Feeding America) | 104,210 | 94,980 | --- | --- | Nov 2023 |
Goal 5: By 2029, increase by 4% the number of Wake County veterans and veterans’ families who are accessing the benefits they earned through military service.
Rationale:
Wake County provides vital support systems for veterans and their families by connecting those who have served to the benefits they've earned. The County’s Veterans Service Office (VSO) assists veterans and their loved ones navigate complex processes to apply for benefits and access support, from healthcare to education and housing.
Beyond individual benefits from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Wake County connects veterans to broader support through a network of service providers, addressing issues such as employment and social isolation. This approach honors their service, facilitates the transition to civilian life, and reinforces Wake’s commitment to those who dedicated themselves to our nation's security.
Supporting Indicators and Metrics:
| Indicator | FY 2020 | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Population (USVA) | 54,264 | 54,176 | 55,227 | --- | Apr 2023 |
| Veteran Compensation and Pension Expenditures (USVA) | $334.6m | $368.9m | $454.2m | --- | Apr 2023 |
| Veteran Medical Care Expenditures (USVA) | $187.0m | $192.7m | $210.5m | --- | Apr 2023 |
Comprehensive Plans and Key Resources: