Family Resource Library
Navigating the social safety net can be overwhelming, especially during a family crisis. Our resource coordinators have compiled and verified this directory of community organizations, government programs, and crisis services available to families throughout the Greater Charlotte and Mecklenburg County region. Each listing has been reviewed for accuracy as of our most recent quarterly audit, and our staff can assist you with applications, referrals, and warm hand-offs to any partner organization.
How to Use These Resources
Many families are eligible for programs they do not know exist. We recommend the following approach when seeking assistance: First, contact the White Picket Fence Foundation intake line at (704) 555-0198 so our case coordinators can help identify which programs fit your situation. If you prefer to contact agencies directly, be prepared to provide proof of residency, household income documentation (pay stubs or tax returns), identification for all household members, and any relevant court orders or medical documentation. Our bilingual staff can assist Spanish-speaking families with applications and translations.
Important: Wait times for certain programs, especially housing vouchers and subsidized childcare, can be several weeks to several months. We encourage families to apply as early as possible and to pursue multiple avenues of support simultaneously. Our coordinators can help prioritize applications based on your family's specific timeline and urgency level.
Housing & Shelter
Charlotte's rental market has seen significant cost increases in recent years, placing extraordinary pressure on working families. The following organizations provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing services, and long-term housing subsidy assistance. If you are facing eviction within 72 hours, call our crisis line or the Mecklenburg County Coordinated Entry System directly for immediate triage.
Charlotte Housing Authority (CHA)
Administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), public housing communities, and the Family Self-Sufficiency program. CHA manages over 4,200 vouchers and 3,300 public housing units across Mecklenburg County. Applications are accepted during designated open enrollment periods, typically announced in January and July.
Phone: (704) 336-5183 | 1301 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Roof Above (formerly Urban Ministry Center)
Provides emergency men's shelter (945 N. College St.), permanent supportive housing at Moore Place, and the Housing First model rapid re-housing program. Their street outreach team operates daily, connecting unsheltered individuals and families to housing navigation services and medical care.
Phone: (704) 347-0278 | 945 N. College St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Salvation Army Center of Hope
The Center of Hope provides emergency shelter for families with children, including private family rooms, meals, case management, and employment assistance. The facility accommodates up to 400 individuals nightly and accepts walk-in intake between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM daily. A 90-day maximum stay applies, with extensions reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Phone: (704) 348-2560 | 534 Spratt St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Mecklenburg County Coordinated Entry
The countywide coordinated entry system is the single point of access for all homeless and housing services in Mecklenburg County. Families experiencing homelessness or imminent risk of homelessness should call the hotline for a vulnerability assessment and connection to the appropriate level of housing intervention.
Hotline: (704) 334-3187 | Available Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Food Assistance
No family should go hungry. Charlotte is served by an extensive network of food banks, pantries, and government nutrition programs. If your family is experiencing food insecurity, the following organizations can provide immediate relief as well as long-term nutritional support. Most food pantries do not require identification or proof of income for emergency distributions.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
The region's largest hunger-relief organization, distributing over 90 million pounds of food annually across 24 counties. Their pantry locator tool connects families with the nearest distribution point. Mobile pantry routes serve food deserts in underserved neighborhoods on a rotating weekly schedule.
Phone: (704) 376-1785 | Pantry Locator available online
Loaves & Fishes / Friendship Trays
Operates 42 neighborhood pantry locations across Mecklenburg County, providing a week's worth of groceries to families in crisis. No appointment necessary for first visit. Families may receive food assistance once every 30 days. Friendship Trays delivers hot meals to homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities Monday through Friday.
Phone: (704) 523-4333 | 648 Griffith Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
SNAP Benefits Enrollment (NC DSS)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monthly electronic benefits for purchasing groceries. A family of four earning under $3,007 per month may qualify. Applications can be submitted online through ePASS, by phone, or in person at any Mecklenburg County DSS office. Processing typically takes 30 days, or 7 days for expedited cases.
Phone: (704) 336-3000 | Mecklenburg County DSS
WIC — Women, Infants, and Children
Provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five. Income eligibility is set at 185% of the federal poverty level. Charlotte has five WIC clinic locations offering walk-in and appointment-based services. Benefits include formula, milk, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and eggs.
Phone: (980) 314-9350 | Mecklenburg County Health Department
Healthcare & Insurance
Access to affordable healthcare is critical for family stability. North Carolina has expanded Medicaid eligibility, and many families who were previously uninsured may now qualify for coverage. Additionally, Charlotte has a robust network of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that provide primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services on a sliding fee scale regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
NC Medicaid Enrollment
North Carolina Medicaid covers adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, all children in families earning up to 210% FPL, and pregnant women up to 196% FPL. Applications are processed through ePASS or at the local DSS office. NC Health Choice provides coverage for children in families earning between 210% and 250% FPL with modest co-pays.
Phone: (704) 336-3000 | Mecklenburg County DSS
Charlotte Community Health Clinic
A federally qualified health center offering comprehensive primary care, pediatric care, women's health, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services. Fees are based on a sliding scale determined by household size and income. Patients without insurance are never turned away. Same-day urgent appointments are available at all three locations.
Phone: (704) 316-6622 | Multiple locations in Charlotte
Dental Access of the Carolinas
Provides affordable dental care to uninsured and underinsured families in the Charlotte region. Services include preventive cleanings, restorative fillings, extractions, and pediatric dentistry. A standard visit for an uninsured patient ranges from $25 to $75 depending on income. Children enrolled in NC Medicaid or Health Choice are seen at no cost.
Phone: (704) 375-3802 | 3315 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cardinal Innovations Behavioral Health
The managed care organization for publicly funded mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual/developmental disability services in Mecklenburg County. Their 24/7 Access to Care Line connects individuals and families to crisis services, outpatient counseling, psychiatric medication management, and substance abuse treatment programs.
24/7 Access Line: 1-800-939-5911
Financial Assistance
Financial stability is the cornerstone of family well-being. From emergency utility assistance to tax preparation services, these programs help families address immediate financial needs while building toward long-term economic self-sufficiency. Our Financial Empowerment team can assist with applications for any of the programs listed below.
LIHEAP — Low Income Home Energy Assistance
A federally funded program providing one-time payments to help eligible households with heating and cooling costs. In North Carolina, LIHEAP is administered seasonally: the heating component opens in December and the cooling component opens in June. Families at or below 130% FPL are eligible. Crisis assistance is available year-round for households facing disconnection.
Phone: (704) 336-3000 | Mecklenburg County DSS
Mecklenburg County DSS — Emergency Assistance
Provides Work First cash assistance, emergency shelter payments, and one-time crisis intervention funds for families with dependent children. The department also administers Medicaid, SNAP, and childcare subsidy programs through a single application process. Families can apply in person at 301 Billingsley Rd or via the NC ePASS online portal.
Phone: (704) 336-3000 | 301 Billingsley Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
VITA Free Tax Preparation
IRS-certified volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns at no cost for families earning under $64,000 annually. Charlotte operates 18 VITA sites during tax season (January through April). The program ensures families claim all eligible credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which can provide up to $7,430 for qualifying families with three or more children.
Season: January – April | 18 locations across Charlotte
Charlotte Mecklenburg Utility Department
Offers a Low-Income Rate Assistance Program for qualifying households, reducing water and sewer bills by approximately 40%. Additionally, Duke Energy's Share the Warmth fund assists with electric bills for families in crisis. Applications for both programs can be submitted through DSS or directly through the utility providers.
Phone: (704) 336-HELP (4357)
Legal Aid
Legal issues — from eviction proceedings to custody disputes — can destabilize an entire family. These legal aid organizations provide free or reduced-cost representation and counsel to qualifying families. Most operate on an income-eligibility basis, generally at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income North Carolinians in housing disputes, consumer debt, family law, public benefits denials, and employment matters. Their Charlotte office handles approximately 2,800 cases annually. Priority is given to cases involving domestic violence, unlawful eviction, and benefits termination.
Phone: 1-866-219-5262 | Charlotte Office
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
Specializes in immigration law, workers' rights, and civil rights protection for low-income and immigrant families. Services include DACA renewal assistance, U-Visa applications for crime victims, asylum representation, wage theft claims, and discrimination complaints. Bilingual staff available in Spanish, French, and Arabic.
Phone: (704) 376-1600 | 1431 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Childcare & Education
Quality childcare and education are essential for both child development and parental workforce participation. North Carolina offers several publicly funded programs for children from birth through pre-kindergarten, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools operates one of the largest public school districts in the Southeast with extensive support services for families.
NC Pre-K Program
A state-funded, high-quality pre-kindergarten program for eligible four-year-olds. Children must turn four on or before August 31st of the enrollment year. Priority is given to families at or below 75% of the state median income. The program operates on the public school calendar at licensed childcare centers and public schools throughout Mecklenburg County.
Phone: (980) 343-5024 | CMS Pre-K Office
Head Start / Early Head Start
Comprehensive child development programs for children birth to five from families at or below the federal poverty level. Services include early childhood education, health screenings, nutritional meals, parent engagement activities, and family support services. Charlotte operates 14 Head Start centers with enrollment beginning each spring for the following fall.
Phone: (704) 943-9131 | 14 centers in Mecklenburg County
NC Child Care Subsidy Program
Assists families earning up to 200% FPL with childcare costs while parents work, attend school, or participate in job training. Subsidies can be used at any licensed childcare facility in the state. Co-payments are determined by family size and income. Applications are submitted through Mecklenburg County DSS and processing times average four to six weeks.
Phone: (704) 336-3000 | Mecklenburg County DSS
GED & Adult Education (CPCC)
Central Piedmont Community College offers free GED preparation classes, English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, and adult basic education at campuses throughout Charlotte. Classes are available during daytime, evening, and weekend hours to accommodate working parents. On-site childcare is available at select locations during class hours.
Phone: (704) 330-6613 | Multiple CPCC campuses
Crisis Hotlines
In an emergency, always call 911. The following confidential hotlines provide immediate support, safety planning, and referrals for individuals and families in crisis. All lines are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise noted. Bilingual operators are available on most lines.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Confidential support for victims of domestic violence, including safety planning, shelter referrals, and legal advocacy. Available in over 200 languages.
1-800-799-7233 (24/7) | TTY: 1-800-787-3224
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential emotional support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call or text 988 from any phone. Veterans can press 1 for the dedicated Veterans Crisis Line.
Call or Text: 988 (24/7)
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free referral and information service for substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and support groups. Available in English and Spanish year-round.
1-800-662-4357 (24/7)
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Professional crisis counselors for child abuse victims, parents in need of support, and mandated reporters. All calls are confidential. Counselors can connect callers to local emergency and social service resources.
1-800-422-4453 (24/7)
Disclaimer: The White Picket Fence Foundation compiles this resource directory as a community service and updates it quarterly. We are not responsible for the availability, eligibility criteria, or quality of services provided by third-party organizations listed above. Inclusion in this directory does not constitute an endorsement. Contact information and program details may change without notice. For the most current information, please contact organizations directly or call our office at (704) 555-0198 for assistance. Last updated: October 2026.