For Many Charlotte Residents, Affordable Housing Still Isn’t Affordable

Over the last decade and a half, the city has put millions of dollars into affordable housing. But the help is not reaching Charlotte’s neediest residents.

2 minute read

October 25, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Charlotte North Carolina

James Willamor / Flickr

Affordable housing efforts are not bringing relief from rising housing costs for the lowest-income residents of Charlotte, North Carolina, reports Fred Clasen-Kelly and Julianna Rennie.

The city has already spent or earmarked $124 million, and a bond measure on next month’s ballot will ask voters to approve another $50 million. City officials have said that they are trying to help a wide swath of residents, in a city where starting salaries for professionals such as teachers and police officers are low and make it hard for people to handle housing costs.

“But unlike some other cities, Charlotte does not set aside a large portion of Housing Trust Fund money for people who have extremely low incomes. Places such as Pittsburgh, Detroit and Philadelphia have pledged that at least half of Housing Trust Fund money benefit their poorest residents,” say Clasen-Kelly and Rennie.

However, critics point to what they see as the Housing Trust Fund’s missteps, including a $5.6 million subsidy to a developer for a building with rents that will be out of reach for most very low-income residents and beds in homeless shelters being counted as affordable housing units.

City leaders, however, stand by their spending decisions and say they have helped people in Charlotte struggling with housing costs. “Mayor Vi Lyles said it is counter productive to debate who is the most deserving of government aid,” report Clasen-Kelly and Rennie.

Thursday, October 18, 2018 in The Charlotte Observer

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

AI-generated image of high-speed rail trail in elevated track in green hilly farmland.

Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI

It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.

May 28, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment

City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

May 30 - The Bulletin

Metro rail station in Mariachi Plaza with colorful glass pavilion in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA

When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

May 30 - CALmatters

Des Moines, Iowa skyline viewed from a plaza with two flags on either side at dusk.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units

A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.

May 30 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.