Homeless forbidden from sleeping at this North Carolina airport

CHARLOTTE ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Changes are on the way for Charlotte Douglas International Airport after officials implemented a new policy that prevents people experiencing homelessness from staying on the property.

The new policy gives airport employees and Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Officers the authority to remove people who aren’t on the property for business purposes.

The policy defines business purpose as ticketed passengers, people who are picking up or dropping off passengers, and employees.

Back in April, city officials discussed an increase of people experiencing homelessness sleeping in the airport.

“I think the unhoused population in general has increased especially since COVID,” Jessica Lefkowitz, founder and CEO of Hearts for the Invisible said. “People are having a hard time paying their rent and the airport probably seems like a safe option.”

Lefkowitz said on one afternoon she and her team identified at least 10 men and women experiencing homelessness seeking shelter at the airport. She said her team has helped at least 350 people get off the streets since it began.

“We have a couple of outreach workers that are going out at least one or two times a week,” Lefkowitz said. “We would love for that to be more and I think that’s coming soon.”

Airport officials said the policy applies to all airport property both inside and outside. In a Charlotte City Council meeting back in April, Airport CEO Haley Gentry explained the need for a policy as the airport grows.

“Safety and security is our number one priority at the airport and we always approach these situations with that in mind,” Gentry said. “There are sometimes when it is challenging for police to remove an individual from our property the way the current laws are written.”

Lefkowitz and her team are working to make sure people who use the airport for housing have options if they are removed.

“We have diverted some folks from out of there as we can but you know all those things cost money,” Lefkowitz said. “We’re looking for the support to make these easy exits out of homelessness. If we need to get somebody a bus ticket to get them out of the airport or out of anywhere that’s sleeping outside or that’s unhoused it is a blessing to have those types of funds available.”

The Airport Premises Access Policy went into effect on July 1, 2024. The policy did not need approval from the city council.

For more information about Hearts for the Invisible or to donate to the cause click here.

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