Top Stories for Nov. 29, 2023

Side view of a light blue van with the County seal and the words Meck Health

Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings from the Public Information Department’s newsroom. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. The agenda is available online. View the meeting at Watch.MeckNC.gov.  

1. In-Person Help with HOMES: Mecklenburg County homeowners who are struggling with rising costs of living have an ally in the HOMES program. HOMES, or Helping Out Mecklenburg’s homeowners with Economic Support, is designed to help residents reduce the cost of annual homeownership. The program is open through Dec. 15 and the County is now offering in-person application help. Sessions are available on a variety of dates at Valerie C. Woodard Community Resource Center in west Charlotte and the Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center in northeast Charlotte. Learn more at MeckNC.gov/4HOMES.

2. Help with Heat: Residents who have trouble paying their winter heating bills can get help through Mecklenburg County’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Applications will be accepted beginning Friday, Dec. 1 for seniors aged 60 and older or disabled individuals. All other households can apply beginning Jan. 1, 2024. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2024. An applicant does not need to be behind on energy bills to receive a one-time LIEAP payment in the amount of $300, $400 or $500 based on their heating source. Visit MeckNC.gov/ENERGY or call 704-336-3000 to begin the application process.

3. Chair and Vice Chair Vote: At its regular meeting on Dec. 5, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners will hold an election for Chair and Vice Chair. The Board elects new leadership every December, with the Chair and Vice Chair serving throughout the following year.

4. On the Road for Good Health: Mecklenburg County’s first mobile health unit has arrived and is ready to take to the road. The mobile van will be used for vaccination, testing, and education events year-round. It is the first of three mobile units for Public Health. Two units were funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A third unit funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will provide pediatric dental services. 

5. Free Testing for World AIDS Day: Dec. 1 marks the 35th occasion of World Aids Day, a reminder of the struggle to end HIV-related stigma. Routine HIV testing is the most important thing that residents can do to help in the fight against the HIV/AIDs epidemic. In support of World AIDS Day, Public Health will offer free onsite HIV testing at each of Mecklenburg County’s Community Resource Centers in west and northeast Charlotte. For more information, call 704-432-TEST (8378).