Community Resources During COVID-19

The City of Charlotte’s Housing & Neighborhood Services Department works hard to connect the community to resources that help neighborhoods thrive. Although these times are unprecedented, our mission is still the same. We want to make sure you have access to the resources and information you, your family and your neighbors need as we navigate our new normal during COVID-19, so we have compiled a list of local resources for those needing help during this pandemic, including employment opportunities, small business resources, housing information, utility assistance, food access, childcare resources, senior resources and more. We will continue to update this list on a weekly basis. If you know of additional resources you would like us to share, please email us at hnsinfo@charlottenc.gov.

You can find a list of all City service impacts, as well as small business and community resources, on the City of Charlotte’s COVID-19 Updates page.

Talking to your family about COVID-19

Have you talked to your kids about COVID-19? Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you. Here is some advice from the CDC on how to talk to children about coronavirus.

• Remain calm and reassuring. Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.
• Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions.
• Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma. Remember that viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person’s race or ethnicity.
• Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio or online. Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.
• Provide information that is honest and accurate. Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child. 
• Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs. Remind children to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick. Remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash. Get children into a handwashing habit, and to wash for at least 20 seconds.

Community Resources

Each week, we are updating our COVID-19 Neighborhood Resources page with new information that is helpful for the community. Here are a few highlights from this week’s update.

Job Opportunities
Our Job Development team is working closely with Charlotte Works to find employers who are hiring immediately. This week, we’ve added over a dozen companies that are currently hiring to our ongoing list of job opportunities.

Food Access
No Kid Hungry has created a map of local school sites, community organizations and food assistance programs across North Carolina where families can access food. The interactive map can be viewed here and is updated daily.

Utilities Support: Internet and Broadband Access
Digital Charlotte has built a map of no-cost and low-cost public wireless networks access locations across Charlotte.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library said it will extend WiFi signals at all branches “to reach the perimeter of the facility” 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During the closures, library staff will oversee online chats for those navigating the system’s website.

Solid Waste Services Reminders

In response to COVID-19, Solid Waste Services has adjusted the collection processes and schedule to limit exposure to employees, which includes suspension of yard waste and bulk item collection. In an effort to keep our neighborhoods clean, healthy, and safe, please follow these tips.

1. No yard waste in the garbage cart. Please note that yard waste cannot be disposed of in the garbage or recycling cart. It is illegal in North Carolina to put yard waste in the landfill. Yard waste that is visible in the garbage or recycling cart will result in the cart(s) not being collected. Yard waste can be taken to one of the four Mecklenburg County Full-Service Recycling Centers.

2. No recyclables outside of your recycling cart. Recyclables will not be collected outside the recycling cart. All materials, including cardboard, must be loosely placed in the recycling cart. Cardboard must be cut or torn, not folded, into pieces small enough to fit loosely in the cart.

3. No unbagged garbage.  If you have items from a quarantined home or additional garbage that will not fit in your garbage cart, please double bag your items and place them next to your container.

You may have questions about why the services were suspended, when they will begin again and where you can dispose of your items in the meantime. Please read this FAQ from Solid Waste Services for additional information.

You can view all of the City of Charlotte’s Service Impacts and COVID-19 Updates here.