Lack of affordable housing means more people are extending the amount of time they're staying in shelters: Thursday, Oct. 6

Charlotte area shelters say more families are extending their stays due to inflation and rising rents.

They say they don't anticipate the issue going away any time soon, and the slow turnaround times have a major impact on the number of families they can help.

The Charlotte Housing Authority said as the number of people who are homeless continues to increase, they’re starting to see new trends.

"We are seeing recently a change in the patterns," Elizabeth Kurtz, with Charlotte Housing Authority, said.

"Typically in the past, we have seen most people coming in for help due to evictions due or financial reasons, now we are seeing people pitched into homelessness simply because rent is going up," she said.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/markets/real-estate/affordable-housing-crisis/affordable-housing-money-inflation-families-demand-homes/275-33e9716a-a78e-4ece-a743-28c81fe12e79

In the season's penultimate match, Charlotte FC saw their playoff hopes dwindle away, but it wasn't without giving it an intense effort.

Charlotte FC (13-18-2) had their last home game of the season with Columbus Crew (11-7-15) end with a 2-2 draw. The Queen City team made a noble effort in the second half to get the win, but it just wasn't met to be.

Columbus Crew was the first team to add a point on the scoreboard when Lucas Zelarayán made an insane goal in the 36th minute from near midfield that caught Charlotte FC's defense and goalkeeper by surprise as it soared across the field and landed in the net.

READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/soccer/charlotte-fc-clinging-on-to-playoff-hopes-ahead-of-final-home-match-columbus-crew-bank-of-america-stadium-soccer-football-game-mls-daniel-rios/275-a859d3fa-b6b6-4e4f-9f27-7159b7e4eab7

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