POLITICS

Fayetteville hires coordinator amid divergent HUD homelessness data

PUBLISHED Jun 8, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

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Fayetteville recently hired its first homelessness strategy coordinator, Gage Reed, the city announced; Reed joins from 7hills Homeless Center and will work in the Housing and Community Services Department. His responsibilities include coordinating extreme weather responses, supporting shelter and housing expansion, and advancing initiatives to improve housing stability and economic opportunity for residents experiencing homelessness. Charleston and Columbus reporting on the 2025 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development assessment show regional variance: West Virginia recorded 1,925 people experiencing homelessness in 2025, while Ohio had more than 12,000 people homeless on a single night in January 2025, with Ohio's tally rising 3.7% year-over-year even as national counts fell 3.3%.

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

January 2025: HUD's point-in-time counts record homelessness across states, including Ohio's counts.
2025: HUD publishes the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress with statewide snapshots.
Early 2025: WV News reports West Virginia’s count at 1,925 and notes a high share of single adults.
Early 2025: NBC4i reports Ohio had over 12,000 people homeless on one night and a 3.7% statewide increase.
2025: Fayetteville announces the hiring of Gage Reed as its first homelessness strategy coordinator to coordinate local responses.

News Intelligence

Homelessness affects community safety and resources. Gage Reed's appointment in Fayetteville could mean more coordinated efforts to address this issue. If you're in an area with rising homelessness, consider advocating for similar roles in your local government.

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Who Benefited

Municipal agencies and housing and nonprofit providers may gain improved coordination and a dedicated staff resource, enabling more structured outreach, extreme weather responses, and potential expansion of shelter and housing programs.

Who Impacted

People experiencing homelessness face continued instability amid rising counts in some states, straining shelters, local services, and economic opportunities while municipalities adjust to shifting needs.

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