Charlotte Tackles Affordable Housing Crisis with New Partnerships
In Charlotte, a dedicated nonprofit organization is stepping up to help those in need of affordable housing. The Housing Collaborative, which has been in the business of connecting at-risk residents with suitable living accommodations since its inception in 1999, is now collaborating with a passionate initiative called A Home For All. This initiative, led by the United Way of Greater Charlotte, aims to make affordable housing more accessible to our community members.
Building Bridges for Better Housing
Tara Peele, the president and CEO of Housing Collaborative, explained that the main focus of this partnership is not to create new housing but to tap into existing resources. “We’re not creating new housing but identifying what’s already out there and engaging with providers to make it available to these households in need,” she said. By working closely with private and market-rate property owners, the goal is to fill vacancies with families who really need them.
Imagine a scenario where landlords see the benefits of renting to low-income households! This requires some flexibility, of course, but both parties can win. Peele emphasized, “Our charge is to show them that filling any vacancies with program-connected households can meet their business needs and help the community.”
The Need for Affordable Housing
Unfortunately, the need for affordable housing in Mecklenburg County is quite alarming. Currently, there’s a shortage of around 25,000 affordable housing units. As more folks flock to the area, investors and developers are focusing on new market-rate projects, which unfortunately often means renovating existing affordable homes and jacking up prices. Peele puts it bluntly: “We’re actively losing housing for people who are at 50% or 60% area median income, and that puts downward pressure on the people who are 30% AMI and below.”
This crisis truly hits home for many. On average, Housing Collaborative fielded inquiries from about 50 households per month. Interestingly, the demographic varies, with nearly half of the heads of these households aged 18 to 39 and a large portion being seniors over 60.
A Focus on Equity
Housing Collaborative is also shining a spotlight on the disparities in housing accessibility. A staggering 83% of the total placements have a Black head of household. This emphasizes the critical need for targeted measures to support those who are disproportionately affected by the affordable housing crisis.
Adapting to New Challenges
During the pandemic, Housing Collaborative pivoted its mission. They worked alongside DreamKey Partners to distribute more than $150 million in rental and utility assistance over three years to residents in Mecklenburg County. “We started to focus more on Charlotte-Mecklenburg and what we could do to provide more hands-on housing placement assistance,” Peele shared.
With the rebranding in 2022, Housing Collaborative aims to serve as a bridge between those seeking housing and the providers willing to offer it. They haven’t stopped there; they’ve teamed up with Ascent Housing, which has set aside over 200 units specifically for referrals earning 30% AMI or less. Peele and the team are working tirelessly to ensure that available accommodations reach the people who need them most.
Spreading Awareness
Despite the crucial nature of these services, many residents remain unaware of the options available to them. Mark Ethridge, a partner at Ascent Housing, highlighted this issue: “Many folks don’t know that these programs exist… They think their only option is to pay 100% of their income toward housing.”
As Charlotte grows, so does the urgency of addressing the affordable housing crisis. Thanks to dedicated partnerships and ongoing efforts, the light of hope shines a little brighter for residents struggling to find a place to call home. With initiatives like Housing Collaborative and A Home For All, it seems the community is finally coming together to tackle this pressing issue head-on. Stay tuned for more developments as they unfold, and let’s keep the conversation going about affordable housing in our city!
