Study: Charlotte Lacks 24,000 Affordable Housing Units

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte is inching closer to its goal of building 5,000 affordable housing units by 2019. The city has met 72 percent of that goal.

However, Monday, council learned the city needs at least 24,000 units to meet the need. Rental rates on the units need to be as low as $394 for a family of four, according to Enterprise Community Partners.

“Let’s remember those might be school teachers or when we have a hard time retraining police officers, maybe because they ant find housing in Charlotte,” said Council Member Julie Eiselt.

The study shows it could cost the city more than $54 million to help close the housing gap. Experts discussed things the city is working to do to help like offering builders tax grants and offering loans to seniors who cannot afford rising property taxes.

With mixed-income spots like Brightwalk, Mother Teresa Villa, and Stevenson Apartments, Charlotte has more than 80,000 affordable units, according to Enterprise.

April 23, council will vote on whether to spend nearly $23.9 million on 11 more mixed-income developments.