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Charlotte City Bond Measures Pass!

During the November 5th, 2024 general election, Charlotte voters overwhelmingly supported the passage of three bond measures totaling $400 million to guarantee additional resources that will increase affordable housing, improve neighborhoods and address transportation issues.

The $100 million Housing Bond Measure was of high priority for non-profits such as Habitat Charlotte Region as they worked closely with other housing advocates to educate the public on the significance of the funding.

The Corridors of Opportunity will continue to benefit from additional neighborhood bond funding. Reimbursement of separate infrastructure projects are also scheduled.

 

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the cost of home

At Habitat Charlotte Region, we know that a family should never have to spend more than 30 percent of their income on a home. But consider that today nearly 19 million U.S. households pay half or more of their income on a place to live. That is unacceptable.

That means that 1 in 6 families are denied the personal and economic stability that safe and affordable housing provides. Instead, 1 in 6 families is forced to make impossible choices.

Safe homes. Nutritious food on the table. Health care. Access to good schools. Reliable transportation. Which would you choose?

We have to take a stand and declare our commitment: Habitat Charlotte Region will work to ensure that no family has to pay more than half of their paycheck to cover the cost of home.

Everyone deserves to build the foundation for a strong, healthy future for themselves and their families — no matter where they live or how much money they earn. Help us make that possible. Help us make the #CostOfHome something we all can afford.

areas of focus

Expanding Resources for Affordable Home Production

Many areas across the U.S. are facing shortages of adequate homes, particularly ones affordable to those earning modest incomes. We support advocacy for policies that enable the production and preservation of homes affordable to lower income households.

Increasing Inclusive Access to Credit

Mortgage credit is difficult, if not impossible, for many households to access, and minority and lower income applicants often have access to no types of credit at all. We support advocacy for policies that increase and broaden access to credit for underserved populations.

Enabling Equitable Access to Land

Land is often among the greatest costs encountered in developing homes, whether for rental or for ownership. We support advocacy for policies that empower residents to guide local development and land use decisions to ensure they fully reflect community needs, particularly for populations who have been discriminated against in the past.

Developing Communities of Opportunity

A home isn’t just a building. It includes the community and resources in which you live, work and grow. For families to achieve long-term success and stability, homes must be both well-constructed and built in an area with sufficient access to transportation, jobs, education, food, medical care, and other critical products and services. We support advocacy for policies that allow neighborhoods and communities to thrive.

Potential Homeowners’ Insurance Increases

Like many across the country, Habitat Charlotte Region homeowners have worked hard to earn the American dream of owning a house. Through our Homeownership Program, they learn how to manage expenses associated with their investment including budgeting for insurance.

In January, when the North Carolina Rate Bureau proposed an average 42% rate hike, concerned homeowners and organizations inundated the N.C. Insurance Commissioner with letters and phone calls protesting the proposed increase. This collective action and its impact highlight the crucial role of being informed and raising your voice.

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Corporations own 13,000 homes in Charlotte - Second Most in U.S.

The American Dream of homeownership remains out of reach for many buyers with no easy solutions as local jurisdictions work to create a balance between affordable housing and the free market.

With Charlotte rents averaging $1,900 a month, median homes sales price at $420,000 (UNCC, 2022 State of Housing in Charlotte Report), and large conglomerates purchasing over 30 percent of homes in the City (pulling over 13,000 homes out of the market that first-time homebuyers would traditionally purchase), elected officials and community groups are searching for answers.

The Mecklenburg County Commissioners are looking at setting aside $500,000 in their FY2023 budget with various goals, including educational campaigns and a social media blitz, so that individuals looking to sell their homes understand the impact of selling to corporations.  Other Ideas include purchasing land, expanding affordable housing and rental assistance programs, de-incentivizing corporate purchases, supporting grassroots community campaigns, and working with HOAs to cap single-family rentals in those developments.

The White House, HUD, and other housing experts lead national discussions. Until then, engagement with your local elected officials, housing groups, and other grassroots organizations to remain educated on these issues is a must!

For additional information, click on the following links:

Mecklenburg County Corporate Rental Issues

Homestead Exemptions

Faced with rising costs of living on fixed incomes, many senior citizens struggle to make ends meet while they age in their homes. For many seniors, rising property tax bills lead to tough choices:

  • Should I pay my taxes or pay for my medicine?
  • If I move, where can I afford to move to?
  • How far away from the life I know will I have to go to be able to afford to live?

Homestead Exemptions help seniors manage increases in their property taxes. However, these exemptions are not equally applicable across the state as current law does not factor cost of living variances in North Carolina counties. Habitat Charlotte Region is leading the charge on Homestead Exemption reform to make these exemptions more effective in preserving homeownership across the state.

Advocacy Resources

Below are links to resources that will give you the opportunity to learn more about affordable housing issues locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. Please share these resources with your friends and encourage them to join you in affordable housing advocacy!

Mecklenburg Co. Board of Elections District Search

Urban Institute: Barriers to Accessing Homeownership

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advocacy questions?

Contact Faith Triggs at
ftriggs@habitatCLTregion.org or 704.376.2054 ext. 7067.