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?Ÿ? City of Charlotte Launches Nonprofit Housing Support Grants
City of Charlotte is issuing $6.5 million in one-time, ARPA-funded grants for nonprofits working on housing solutions for those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. These Nonprofit Housing Support Grants will bolster agencies helping residents who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or facing housing instability.
This grant covers:
- Affordable multifamily rental housing, with units serving residents earning 80% or below the Area Median Income (AMI) and at least 20% of units for households at 30% AMI. These should remain affordable for 20 years.
- Affordable homeownership options, like new single-family homes or townhomes, for residents earning 80% or below the AMI. These must remain affordable for 15 years and should include a shared appreciation or community land trust model.
- Supportive housing developments, including special needs housing for seniors, homeless residents, and people with disabilities.
- Temporary emergency housing for those at risk of homelessness.
- Supportive services for those seeking and/or maintaining housing, such as housing case management, job training, and mental health services.
Nonprofits can apply for grants up to $2.5 million between June 15 and July 14.
For more details and to apply, visit the city's Nonprofit Housing Support Grants portal.
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?Ÿ?˜?¸? City Council Approves $8M to Preserve 266 Units of Affordable Housing at Charlotte Woods Apartments
Charlotte City Council, during its June 12 business meeting, approved an $8 million Housing Trust Fund allocation to support Charlotte Woods Apartments, a naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) development. Located near Scaleybark and Woodlawn Roads, this apartment complex is expected to provide a total of 266 units that will remain affordable for at least 15 years.
The development will have 155 one-bedroom and 111 two-bedroom apartments, including:
- 80 units for households making 30% or less of the area median income (AMI), with rents ranging from $260-$535
- 133 units for households at 60% AMI or less, with rents ranging from $1,000-$1,175
- 53 units for households at 80% AMI or less, with rents ranging from $1,050 to $1,215
- The current area median income for a family of four is $99,700.
In addition to the $8 million Housing Trust Fund allocation, the development will also participate in the city’s NOAH rental subsidy program. This program reimburses the development’s city portion of its property tax bill in exchange for rental subsidies for families making less than 30% AMI. Charlotte Woods will provide 40 long-term rental subsidies for a period of 20 years through this program.
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?Ÿ?˜?¸? Charlotte Uses City-Owned Land to Expand Affordable Housing Supply
In June, Charlotte City Council advanced the city's commitment to affordable housing by approving two projects leveraging city-owned land for development.
In the Ballantyne area, a 60-year ground lease on city-owned land was approved for developer CSE Communities (Crosland Southeast). Paying just $1/year, the developer will construct Evoke Living, a 60-unit affordable housing complex on the 3.4-acre site.
Evoke Living will include 60 affordable units in the following allocations:
- 12 units for those earning 30% or less of the area median income (AMI)
- 32 units for households at or below 60% AMI
- 16 units at or below 80% AMI
With the additional support of $3.1 million from the Housing Trust Fund, this project will bring affordable living to a traditionally high-cost area, connecting residents to jobs, amenities, and quality public schools.
In addition, four city-owned parcels in the Camp Greene and Enderly Park communities will be sold for $1 to the West Side Community Land Trust (WSCLT). WSCLT plans to build four affordable housing units for sale, fostering homeownership and anti-displacement in a rapidly evolving area.
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?Ÿ“½?¸? VIDEO: Grand Opening of The Oliver Apartment Complex: A Boost for Affordable Housing in Charlotte
The Oliver, a new apartment community, celebrated its grand opening in June. The apartment complex is the first development that included affordable units as part of the city’s affordable housing density bonus program. Located conveniently near the Tom Hunter LYNX Blue Line station, The Oliver provides eight affordable housing units rented at 80% AMI. This arrangement is part of the city's initiative to boost affordable housing options in transit oriented development districts. In an incentive to the developers, the city permitted a taller structure for The Oliver than usual in return for the inclusion of these affordable units.
Don't forget to check out the highlight video of the grand opening! It features insightful comments from representatives of J. Forrest Development, Bell Partners, the City of Charlotte, and University City Partners.
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?Ÿ? House Charlotte Plus: Making Homeownership Dreams a Reality for a Single Mother
In February, the City of Charlotte introduced an innovative homeownership pilot program, House Charlotte Plus. This initiative provided up to $80,000 to assist eligible residents with home purchases in strategically selected "areas of influence" within the city's Corridors of Opportunity. To qualify, applicants' income had to fall at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI).
Among the program's success stories is that of a single mother who transitioned from renter to first-time homeowner via House Charlotte Plus in collaboration with DreamKey Partners, Prosperity Unlimited, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, Mathers Realty, and the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency.
Her new home, located off Central Avenue, is situated within one of the six key corridors targeted by the Corridors of Opportunity program. The total subsidies applied towards her home purchase amounted to $215,600, effectively reducing her mortgage to a manageable $90,000.
The House Charlotte program manager, Ron Mason, spoke to the significant demand for the program. "House Charlotte typically closes about six to eight loans per month, but thanks to the Plus program, we closed 26 loans in May alone," he said. “The program launched in February, and the funds were depleted by early April. The hope is for the program to be reintroduced in the next fiscal year.”
The funds for House Charlotte Plus came from the Community Development Block Grant Program, demonstrating the city's resourceful approach to addressing housing affordability.
?Ÿ?¡ New Beginnings: Last House Charlotte-Supported Townhome at Landings at NoDa Welcomes Proud Owner
Congratulations to Akimi, the proud new owner of the last House Charlotte-supported townhome at Landings at NoDa! Nestled in the lively heart of NoDa and surrounded by various attractions, Akimi is all set to start her new chapter as a homeowner. As a housing counselor with Inlivian, her journey with the House Charlotte down payment assistance program and its partners has enriched her both personally and professionally. This experience has fueled her passion for advocating and guiding others who are seeking their own routes to homeownership.
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?Ÿ¥³ Lead Lady Brings Fun and Learning to Juneteenth Celebration!
This month, Lead Lady and Hanna Kirlin, our LeadSafe Charlotte program manager, brought a burst of fun and education to the Juneteenth Charlotte Celebration - Community West event!
Handing out capes and masks, they were on a mission to educate children about the dangers of lead-based paint hazards. Lead Lady, the superhero dedicated to protecting children from lead hazards, made this important health message engaging for the young ones.
The event was organized by SESA University and held at the Stratford-Richardson YMCA, located at 1946 West Blvd, Charlotte, NC on June 16 and 17. It was a successful blend of celebration, learning, and community engagement. Well done, Lead Lady and Hanna!
?Ÿ? Creating Safer Homes for 25 Years: Celebrating National Healthy Homes Month
June's National Healthy Homes Month, led by HUD, spotlighted the crucial work of the Lead Based Paint and Healthy Homes program. For 25 years, this HUD-funded program has served 2,915 families, making homes lead-safe and identifying health hazards. Most units served receive an extra $5,000 for improvements like HVAC repairs, detector installations, pest control, or even roof replacement. Thank you for your hard work, Lead Based Paint and Healthy Homes Program!
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?ŸŒ? 311 On the Go! in the Community
In June, our 311 On the Go! team was busy participating in nine different events. These included several Community Area Planning workshops and town halls, organized by different Council members. Nice work, 311!
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?Ÿ”¨ Team Spirit Wins the Day: Code Inspectors John Barrett and Adam Lockler Step Up!
Back on May 17, our code inspector John Barrett got wind of an issue about tree limbs blocking a sidewalk. Sticking to protocol, he issued a notice of violation to the property owner on May 22. But then, something unexpected happened.
On May 26, the property owner called John, sharing that they'd just welcomed a baby into the world, who was now in the NICU. Amidst this challenging time for the family, John decided to go the extra mile.
Instead of leaving the matter to the overwhelmed homeowners, John teamed up with Adam Lockler, another inspector. Together, they took care of the tree limb obstruction, solving the issue without adding stress to the already struggling property owners.
This story is a win-win all around - the city's sidewalks are clear, and the homeowners could focus on their family during a difficult time. Kudos to John and Adam for showing what teamwork and a dash of kindness can do!
Code Enforcement Tip of the Month
Reminder: Do not park your vehicle on the front lawn or side yard if you live on a corner lot. A $25 fine may be issued and your vehicle may be towed after multiple violations.
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?Ÿ?™?¸? Three Decades of Community Transformation: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Charlotte's Neighborhood Matching Grant Program
Charlotte's Neighborhood Matching Grant program turns 30 this year! Since it started, more than 1,000 grants have been given to community groups, leading to successful projects that have improved local neighborhoods. This program has also fostered stronger relationships and community spirit among neighbors.
To celebrate this milestone, we at HNS will be featuring some of the most creative projects achieved through this program on our social media channels, with daily posts about Neighborhood Matching Grant projects. Follow us on our social media platforms to keep up with these updates!
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?Ÿ?† Charlotte Earns 2023 All-America City Recognition for Exceptional Youth Engagement
Charlotte has been honored as a 2023 All-America City! Recognized by the National Civic League, the award recognizes the city’s notable efforts in engaging and developing our youth. The City of Charlotte was among 20 finalist cities showcasing our community's initiatives in Denver, Colorado, to a panel of respected civic leaders nationwide. Charlotte had strong representation from various city departments, including participants from the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program.
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?Ÿ“° CITY-RELATED NEWS: In case you missed it
Council Approves $3.5M to Preserve 100 Affordable Housing Units at Brookhill Village
On Monday, Charlotte City Council approved the use of $3.5 million from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to preserve 100 affordable units at Brookhill Village Apartments.
City Seeks to Close Digital Divide through Access Charlotte
The City of Charlotte is thrilled to launch a scaled-up Access Charlotte program, a vital initiative to bridge the digital divide. Building upon a successful pilot, the program is now set to provide free Spectrum Internet and Advanced Wi-Fi to over 5,000 households and 15 community spaces. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, this two-year project also includes resources for digital navigators. Eligibility extends to all households in the Access Charlotte area, whether they're current Spectrum customers or not.
Charlotte observes National Pollinators Week
Charlotte’s landscape management division has been creating pollinator-friendly habitats in the city. During National Pollinators Week, Charlotte's city arborists, entomologists, and gardeners rallied to promote the preservation of pollinator-friendly habitats and protect endangered species. In this episode of Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins, hear from key contributors like Laurie Reid Dukes, Jonathan Hill, Linda Nelson, and Donna Bolls on their collective efforts to make Charlotte a haven for pollinators.
Food co-op will be West Boulevard’s first grocery store in decades
With the guidance of local developers, the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition is designing an approximately 12,000-square-foot community-owned grocery store for the intersection of Clanton and West Boulevard called Three Sisters Market. It will be the city’s first food co-op.
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