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Water Restrictions Begin May 15. Here's How HNS Can Help.
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Charlotte Water will move to Mandatory Water Restrictions, Low Inflow Protocol Stage 2, beginning Friday, May 15, in response to ongoing dry conditions. Housing & Neighborhood Services is helping support the citywide response by sharing conservation information, connecting residents to relevant resources and supporting education and enforcement related to water restrictions.
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How HNS can help:
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Water leak you can’t afford to repair? Income-eligible homeowners may qualify for the Emergency Repair Program, which can cover critical plumbing repairs. |
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Reporting water leaks: HNS is supporting efforts to add water leak reporting to the CLT+ app. |
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Lower-water yards: Properly maintained naturalistic landscapes and native plants can require less irrigation than traditional turf once established. |
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Education and enforcement: The Quality of Life Team will support education and enforcement related to water conservation restrictions. |
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Key restrictions for residents:
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Lawn irrigation is limited to two days per week, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses may water Tuesday and Saturday; even-numbered addresses may water Wednesday and Sunday. |
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Residential pools may be topped off only Thursdays and Sundays, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. |
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Home car washing, pool filling, nonessential power washing and charity car wash events are not allowed. |
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Drip irrigation, soaker hoses, hand-watering and commercial car washes are still allowed. |
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Housing, Help and Resident Resources
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Energy Saver NC Rebates Now Available in Charlotte
State-run rebates can help income-eligible homeowners and renters pay for energy upgrades. Residents can start with Homeowners Managing Efficiency Savings (HOMES), then consider Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR). The program runs until 2031 or until funds are exhausted.
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Mecklenburg County Energy Assistance Programs
Mecklenburg County offers energy assistance programs to help eligible households avoid utility disconnections and reduce housing instability. Available programs include the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP). Residents can review eligibility requirements and application instructions online or call 704-336-3000 for more information.
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$26.4M Approved for 816 New Affordable Homes
Charlotte City Council recently approved $26.4 million in Housing Trust Fund investments to support 13 affordable housing developments across the city. These investments are expected to create approximately 816 affordable homes, including 602 rental units and 214 homeownership opportunities.
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This funding round includes a mix of family housing, senior housing and homeownership developments, with a significant portion of rental units targeted to residents with the greatest housing needs. Approximately 25% of rental units will be affordable to households earning 30% of area median income (AMI), or approximately $33,650 for a family of four.
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City-Supported Housing You May Pass Every Day (District 5)
City-supported housing is already part of many neighborhoods and often looks like any other apartment community from the street. One District 5 example: Springfield Gardens Apartments (9525 Springfield Gardens Dr, Charlotte, NC 28227).
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Community Updates
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Keep Charlotte Beautiful (KCB) Had a Packed Earth Month
KCB's year-long litter study landed, showing Charlotte averages four pieces of roadside litter per resident. New national data from Keep America Beautiful shows litter along America's roadways and surface waterways declined, though billions of pieces of litter remain nationwide. Clean the Queen wrapped its biggest year yet with 619 volunteers, 1,547 hours served, and 564 bags of trash collected from Uptown. KCB also planted pollinator habitats at three CMS elementary schools over spring break and is now promoting the city's free pollinator habitat registration program, which lets qualifying yards opt out of the nuisance vegetation ordinance.
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Read the full story about KCB’s packed Earth Month.
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A Year After the Bridge Rebuild, Hidden Valley Cleanup Continues
When Code Enforcement Officer Tommy Dawkins flagged a neglected piece of land at 1452 Hidden Stream during a ride-along with HNS, it kicked off a chain of community work that's still paying off in Hidden Valley today.
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The original project (June 2025). The site had been managed by a since-dissolved HOA and sat abandoned for years. Its creek was stagnant, choked with debris, and storm water drains were blocked. Overgrowth had hidden a dilapidated pedestrian bridge that once connected Hidden Valley to neighboring Forest Stream Ct., a structure that had also become a safety concern after neighbors reported children playing on it. Rather than contract the work out and bill the city, HNS partnered with neighborhood leaders, multiple city departments, and community organizations including I Want to Mow Your Lawn and Stihl to clear the site, restore the creek, and rebuild the bridge.
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The follow-up (March 2026). Nearly a year later, Tommy Dawkins returned to Hidden Valley with community residents to host a yard cleanup for an 89-year-old homeowner who was no longer able to maintain the trees in her front yard, using equipment donated for the original bridge project. The effort was coordinated with support from Jamila Freelain-Holly, HNS Neighborhood Engagement Service Team liaison for Council District 1.
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That second cleanup is exactly the kind of long tail HNS hopes for from neighborhood investments: donated equipment continuing to serve residents months after the original event, and consistent, resident-driven effort helping shift the narrative of Hidden Valley.
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Charlotte's Neighborhood Engagement Service Teams (NEST) are assigned by council district and work directly with residents, neighborhood associations, and community groups to align city resources with neighborhood priorities. Residents in Council District 1 can contact Jamila Freelain-Holly at Jamila.Freelain@charlottenc.gov.
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Connecting West Corridor Families With Housing Help
HNS staff joined the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day on April 18 at the Stratford Richardson YMCA, where agencies and organizations gathered to share resources with West Corridor families. Staff distributed information on the city's housing programs, including the Housing Services Programs at a Glance guide covering House Charlotte down payment assistance, housing rehabilitation, lead hazard control, rental deposit assistance, and homelessness resources. Staff also shared a CiviForm FAQ to help residents navigate the city's online application platform.
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The event spotlighted services already available in the West Corridor, including youth development programs like college tours and workforce readiness opportunities for teens. The Stratford Richardson YMCA also offers childcare options including summer camp with field trips and themed clubs (science, technology, sports, dance), as well as onsite preschool and swim lessons. Nearby, Atrium Health's West Corridor facility provides an onsite pharmacy, X-ray services, virtual consultations, and food resource connections, and a neighborhood library is set to relocate to the same site, further expanding community access.
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Residents can learn more about Charlotte's housing programs at charlottenc.gov/housing or by calling 704-336-3380.
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Pathways to Homeownership at the Wealth Worthy Financial Summit
Housing & Neighborhood Services' Ron Mason recently joined community members at the Wealth Worthy Financial Summit™, where he shared information about House Charlotte down payment assistance and other pathways to homeownership. The summit equipped attendees with tools, knowledge, and connections to support their financial futures, with sessions covering budgeting, responsible credit use, and homeownership readiness.
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The event drew strong turnout, including Mayor Pro Tem James Mitchell Jr. and Council Member LaWana Mayfield, who was recognized by Worth WealthCon, powered by BrightUp, for her contributions to affordable housing. Additional honorees included Bishop Claude Richard Alexander Jr. and Shawn Kennedy for their community impact.
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Bringing Resources to CLT's Airport Workers
HNS staff from 311 and Housing Services participated in CLT’s first Airport Resource Fair on April 28, joining more than 20 agencies (including DreamKey Partners, CW Williams, and Ascent Housing) and partners to connect airport workers with housing-related information and community resources. The event drew 733 members of the airport community and offered a direct way to bring services to workers who help keep CLT running every day.
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Eastside Intergovernmental Summit Tackles Schools, Safety, and Housing
On Saturday, April 18, HNS staff joined city and county leaders at the 4th Annual Eastside Intergovernmental Summit at the Mecklenburg County Eastway Recreation Center, where NEST liaisons Charlenea Duncan and Jamila Freelain-Holly and CharMeck 311 team members Erica Blakeney and LaTrice Johnson tabled and connected residents to city programs and services.
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The summit brought together City Manager Marcus Jones, County Manager Mike Bryant, Sheriff Gary McFadden, CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill, and CMPD Chief Estella Patterson for a panel discussion on issues shaping the Eastside. Topics included CMS performance (93.4% of District 4 schools met or exceeded growth expectations), District 1 development (Eastland Yards, Bojangles Coliseum upgrades, the new Scout Motors HQ, and the Katie Blessing Center for Children's Behavioral Health), public safety, and the city's down payment assistance programs.
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Want to connect with HNS in your neighborhood? Find your NEST service team liaison, or call CharMeck 311 for help navigating city services.
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200+ Volunteers, Five Charlotte Homes Improved on Realtors Care Day
On April 17, Realtors Care Day brought 200 to 225 volunteers across Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Haywood counties for a day of painting, planting, cleanups, and outdoor beautification. In Charlotte, five homes received improvements through a partnership between the Canopy Housing Foundation, the City of Charlotte, area Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and other community partners. The annual project, timed to Fair Housing Month, helps existing homeowners stay safe and supported in the homes they already have. Thanks to every volunteer and partner who made the day possible.
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Local Youth Build Resumes, Practice Interviews at First Step Training
Last month, local youth spent a full day at Junior Achievement for the First Step Workforce Readiness Training, building resumes, practicing interview skills, and learning directly from professionals at Bank of America and the Miss North Carolina organization. The hands-on sessions gave participants tools for life beyond the classroom and a chance to ask questions, make connections, and picture themselves in future career pathways.
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Code Enforcement Tip: Auto Repair in Residential Areas
Auto repair is not a permitted use in a residential area. Auto sales are permitted but are limited to three vehicles per calendar year. A violation of this ordinance could result in monetary citations.
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Opportunities and Ways to Get Involved
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EmpowerTech: Free Digital Skills Workshops
Residents can build digital skills through free, standalone workshops that include hands-on lab time. Dinner is provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop if they have one. Upcoming sessions include May 26 on tech tools for better meetings and June 23 on file management.
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Step Up Job Fair: May 16
The Step Up Career & Resource Job Fair brings Charlotte employers under one roof to share openings, internships, and career pathways with job seekers. Youth ages 16 to 24 are especially encouraged to attend. Stop by to talk with representatives across industries, ask questions, and take the next step toward your goals.
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When: May 16, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas. Register for the job fair.
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KCB Is Hiring. Apply by June 12.
Want to spend a year helping Charlotte get cleaner and greener? Keep Charlotte Beautiful is hiring its 2026-2027 AmeriCorps Project Conserve Engagement & Education Specialist, a full-time, 11-month role focused on environmental education and volunteer engagement. Apply by June 12.
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New Leadership at HNS
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The City of Charlotte has announced two leadership transitions at Housing & Neighborhood Services. Rebecca Hefner, current HNS Director, has been named the city's newest Deputy City Manager, succeeding Liz Babson, who retires in September. Dr. Raquishela Stewart, currently HNS Deputy Director, will be promoted to HNS Director.
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Hefner brings more than 15 years of local government experience to her new role. Her tenure leading HNS included launching the city's Accessory Dwelling Unit program, leading the NEST Commission's anti-displacement work, and helping design the funding policy behind Charlotte's historic $100 million affordable housing bond.
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Dr. Stewart has been with the city for over eight years, most recently leading the creation of the Office of Youth Opportunities as HNS Deputy Director. She previously served as Division Manager for CharMeck 311.
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Stay Connected With HNS
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