“To me it’s a miracle.”: Woman Forced Out Of Her Affordable Home Found Help From An Unexpected Stranger

CHARLOTTE, NC. —  A woman forced out of her affordable home, because of development, has found help from an unexpected stranger. The 73-year-old worried she would end up on the streets.

Sharon Freedman lived in the Belmont neighborhood on a fixed income, paying $400 a month in rent for a duplex. Eight months ago, her landlord told her she had to move because her home will be torn down for redevelopment.

WCCB talked to Sharon two weeks ago, and she worried she would be homeless. With no other options– she posted on the Next Door app pleading for help.

“Four days before I thought I was going to end up on the street,” says Freedman.

Sharon got a call from Billy Maddalon’s sister telling her she could live in the carriage house of the Vanlandingham Estate for $450 a month. Maddalon and his family own part of the estate.

“For me, it’s about taking care of neighbors. We have to take care of each other,” says Maddalon.

Maddalon is a former Charlotte city council member. He says Charlotte needs to get ahead of the affordable housing crisis.

“We could see this 20 years ago. I think the thing that frustrates me is that we didn’t fix it when we had an opportunity to fix it. “