This nonprofit is featured in the WALTER Guide to Giving 2026, a curated guide to Raleigh and Wake County organizations that depend on holiday-season support.

College student homelessness is a harsh reality: A 2023 survey of NC State University students revealed a 14% homelessness rate — that means students who are sleeping outside, in vehicles, or with others in unstable, sometimes dangerous circumstances.

HOST envisions every college student in Wake County to be safely and stably housed. HOST has helped 100+ housing-insecure students achieve their basic needs, with 26% having been supported through the Host Home program, a temporary housing program placing students in nearby households.

For 2026 and 2027, HOST aims to serve at least 30 new students and recruit 12 new Host Home providers. A monthly $50 donation can help increase the pool of host homes, while a one-time donation of $500-1,000 can help students stay housed. Or, volunteer as a HOST home! This requires a spare bedroom and the willingness to welcome a local student for 1-4 months. Households near Wake County-based colleges, particularly those who welcome BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and culturally diverse students, are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit hostnc.org

Sponsored by TowneBank. Learn more.

Keep exploring the Guide to Giving: Next up, Meals on Wheels of Wake County — or see all 18 nonprofits.

A version of this article originally appeared in the November 2026 issue of WALTER Magazine.