FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cumberland County has successfully completed the pilot phase of the Homeless Prevention and Stabilization Voucher Program, an initiative designed to provide short-term housing assistance.
The Pilot Program launched on Sept. 30, 2025. Community response demonstrated an extraordinary level of need. In a short period of time, the County received 743 family referrals, underscoring both the urgency of housing instability in the community and the importance of sustainable, scalable solutions.
Each referral required individualized screening and eligibility verification, coordination with landlords, documentation review, vendor onboarding, and direct payment processing. The volume and complexity of this work validated the pilot’s purpose: to assess demand, operational capacity, and the systems required to responsibly deliver assistance at scale.
Due to the fixed and fully committed pilot funding, the County paused new referrals on Oct. 20, 2025, once all available resources had been obligated. This step ensured the County could honor commitments already made, manage public funds responsibly, and avoid creating unrealistic expectations for households seeking assistance.
No new referrals are currently being accepted for this specific pilot program, including through Coordinated Entry. Coordinated Entry remains fully operational for other housing and homelessness assistance programs available throughout Cumberland County.
While demand exceeded available pilot funding, the program’s outcomes have provided valuable insight. County staff are actively reviewing data, operational lessons, and community impact to help inform potential continuation, expansion, or alternative assistance mechanisms. County staff plan to brief the Board of Commissioners in March on potential future program models and funding options informed by the pilot.
“The pilot program confirmed both the scale of need in our community and the importance of building programs that are financially sustainable, operationally sound, and equitable,” said Community Development Director Rayshonia Manuel. “This work is helping guide continued support for residents facing housing instability.”
Cumberland County expressed appreciation for the community’s understanding and engagement throughout the pilot process and remains committed to responsible efforts related to addressing homelessness and housing stability.
For more information about Cumberland County Community Development, visit www.cumberlandcountync.gov/communitydevelopment.
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