CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- Jackie Jenks, president and CEO of the Inter-Faith Council (IFC) for Social Services, says she has seen an increase in people experiencing homelessness in Orange County.

"The cost of living has gone up. The cost of housing has gone up," Jenks said. "The available housing and incomes that folks can afford has decreased over time."

IFC provides people in Orange County with shelter and housing programs, but she's working to find better solutions to combat homelessness.

"The solution to homelessness is housing, and we just don't have the housing that we need," Jenks said.

In 2024, more than 1,000 people experienced homelessness in Orange County, according to data provided by the Orange County Housing Department.

Although there are some places where people coul

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