Homelessness prevention initiative helped 73 New Hanover County households avoid eviction or foreclosure and secure more affordable housing
The Harrelson Center’s Housing Navigation program has completed its first year with a 95 percent success rate, helping 69 of 73 participating households avoid eviction or foreclosure, remain in their homes, or secure more affordable housing.
Launched in May 2025, Housing Navigation is a homelessness prevention initiative providing personalized, 90-day case management to New Hanover County residents at risk of losing their housing. The program was developed in response to trends and data emerging from the Harrelson Center’s Help Hub, which provides short-term emergency financial assistance to help neighbors address urgent expenses and avoid utility disconnection or eviction.
During its first year, the program served 73 households that completed the 90-day program:
- 19 households remained in their existing rental homes.
- 27 households moved into new, more affordable rental housing.
- 16 households avoided eviction after already receiving an eviction notice.
- 1 household remained in its owned home.
- 2 households avoided foreclosure.
- 4 households were ultimately evicted
“We could see that many of our Help Hub clients were just one unforeseen circumstance away from losing their housing,” said Nikki McLaurin, the Harrelson Center’s housing navigator. “Housing Navigation allows us to go beyond addressing the immediate crisis. We work with each household to identify resources, develop a plan, maintain weekly check-ins and provide personalized guidance to help them remain stably housed.”
The program’s first-year results underscore the impact that targeted homelessness prevention can have in a community facing a growing housing crisis. While the number of households served may appear modest, the program is currently operated by one full-time housing navigator, and demand significantly exceeds the program’s capacity.
The need for prevention services is particularly urgent as eviction rates continue to rise in New Hanover County. In 2025, the county ranked 36th among North Carolina’s 100 counties for the number of evictions. In 2026, its ranking rose to 21st, further highlighting the growing need for homelessness prevention services and sustainable funding.
“Preventing homelessness is far more than keeping someone housed for another month,” said Harrelson Center Executive Director Meade Van Pelt. “It is about helping people identify sustainable housing, connect with resources, and address circumstances and barriers that put them at risk. Our plan and these outcomes demonstrate what is possible with intervention and collaboration before a person or family reach the crisis of homelessness.”
Housing Navigation is one of the Harrelson Center’s direct-service initiatives focused on strengthening housing stability for local residents. The program works in coordination with community resources and builds upon the Harrelson Center’s broader efforts to connect neighbors with the support they need to remain safely and stably housed.
About the Harrelson Center
The Harrelson Center is Wilmington’s campus of nonprofits, where common ground and shared purpose strengthen humanitarian organizations and enhance their impact on the community. The Center provides a collaborative home for more than 40 humanitarian nonprofit organizations while also offering direct services, connections and resources to individuals and families in need. Through its Help Hub, Housing Navigation program, and nonprofit partnerships, the Harrelson Center works to connect people with the resources and support they need to thrive. For more information, visit harrelsoncenter.org
# # #
