Charlotte’s Path to Affordable Housing Brightens with New Project
In the heart of Charlotte, a promising initiative that aims to tackle the ongoing affordable housing crisis is in the works. This project brings together the Newell Presbyterian Church and the nonprofit developer DreamKey Partners to transform unused church property into home sweet homes for families in need.
A Step Closer to Reality
On Monday, city officials gathered for a rezonings public hearing that spotlighted this collaborative effort. City Council members expressed their enthusiasm for the project, which plans to create affordable townhomes on approximately 4.3 acres of land that sits idle on the church’s premises. With no objections raised during the hearing, the City Council is expected to give the green light to the rezoning request next month, paving the way for this community-focused project to become a reality.
Brining New Opportunities
Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield voiced her excitement, stating, “I am happy to see this type of collaboration with not only recognizing our goal in the city to get as close to 10-minute neighborhoods as possible, but to build a quality product that’s in different price ranges so that our workforce can afford to stay in our city.” The concept of a 10-minute neighborhood is marvelous, where people can live, work, shop, and play all within a short walking distance.
Finding Purpose in Unused Land
Pastor Matt Conner of Newell Presbyterian Church shared insights during the hearing, revealing that the congregation had been pondering how to better utilize their property due to dwindling membership. “We sit on about 10 acres with three buildings, all of it underutilized in the midst of an affordable housing crisis, short some 35,000 units,” he remarked. His passion for creating spaces that enrich lives is palpable, as he continues, “We can create space for people to live, work, play, and pray. We can be better stewards of our space. We can change lives for generations to come.”
A Closer Look at the Project
The proposed development plans for 54 single-family attached townhomes, conveniently located at the corner of West Rocky River Road and Old Concord Road. According to rezoning manager Teresa Montalvo, the area is in dire need of housing options, and this project promises to deliver just that by offering middle housing solutions. DreamKey aims to purchase the land from Newell, although the specifics of the sale and pricing remain under wraps.
Homes Designed for Everyone
The homes will be tailored for families earning less than 80% of the area median income, which translates to about $84,800 annually for a family of four. This project takes affordable housing seriously, incorporating a 30-year affordability period that ensures long-term sustainability in housing costs, as explained by Fred Dodson, DreamKey’s chief operations officer. This way, families can truly settle down without fear of skyrocketing rents.
Building a Community Legacy
Newell Presbyterian Church isn’t venturing into this territory alone. It joins other local churches that have begun to integrate affordable housing into their missions. For instance, last year, Mayfield Memorial Missionary Baptist Church launched Sugree Place, offering 51 units designed for families in economic need. Likewise, Caldwell Presbyterian Church converted a vacant building into 21 studio apartments specifically for low-income residents in 2022.
Encouraging Faith-Based Involvement
Councilwoman Mayfield is enthusiastic about other faith-based organizations exploring similar pathways. Together with Mayor Vi Lyles, she introduced the Faith in Housing initiative, seeking to connect religious institutions with city officials and developers to spearhead affordable housing projects. The initiative has already conducted community meetings to assist churches in navigating financial tools, such as the Housing Trust Fund, geared towards fostering affordable housing.
A Collaborative Future
As the Charlotte City Council looks forward to witnessing more partnerships between churches and developers, the hope is that this new push can inspire others. Councilwoman Tiawana Brown emphasized, “This is something positive, something that affirms everything that we want to see, don’t always get to see, but always want to see. Faith organizations that are listening, get on board, okay? Meet us at the altar.”
This exciting development is just one example of the innovative solutions being explored to address the pressing issue of affordable housing in Charlotte. With the collaboration between faith organizations and housing developers, a brighter future seems to be burgeoning for many families in the area.
