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π The Crownicle: Your Monthly Housing & Neighborhood Services Digest
Inside this issue:
- Charlotte Boosts Affordable Housing: 730 New Units Across Seven Projects
- Carter Work Project 2023: Building Homes at The Meadows at Plato Price
- Housing Support Grants to Provide $7.5M in Community Projects!
- Community Resilience Fund Grants Awarded
- National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is This Month!
- Updates From Charlotte's Quality of Life Team
- Streets to Parks: Explore Charlotte's 'Corridors Connect' This October!
- Three Decades of Community Transformation: Neighborhood Matching Grants
- And much more...
π± Connect with us for the latest news and happenings in your neighborhood.
Subscribe to this newsletter.
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Charlotte is set to receive 730 new affordable housing units. This comprises 716 rental housing units and 14 units for affordable homeownership. Funding for these projects includes $13.1 million from the city's Housing Trust Fund and $4.3 million in federal funds. City Council has given the green light to these projects:
- Arrowood Homes (7202 South Blvd.):
- Funding: $2.5 million local, $3 million federal
- 120 units for residents earning up to 80% of AMI
- Located near the Arrowood Blue Line Station on city-owned land.
- Developer: NRP Group
- Central at Old Concord (5703 N. Tryon St.):
- Funding: $4.2 million local
- 200 units for residents earning up to 80% of AMI
- Developer: Winterwood Development
- Sycamore Station II (6010 Calle Lumina Way):
- Funding: $1.2 million local, $500,000 federal
- 168 units for residents earning up to 80% of AMI
- Developer: The Annex Group
- Mount Moriah Seniors (489 Crestdale Road):
- Kings on Lamar (323 Lamar Ave.):
- Funding: $2.4 million local
- 64 units for residents earning up to 60% of AMI
- Rehab the buildings and then establish a transitional housing program for men experiencing homelessness.
- Developer: Roof Above
- Aveline Legacy Druid Hills Duets II (Druid Hills neighborhood):
- Funding: $462,000 local
- 14 units for homeowners earning between 61-80% of AMI
- Developer: DreamKey Partners
- Swan Run Apartments (4600 Swan Meadow Lane):
- βββββββFunding: $2.4 million
- 92 units for residents earning up to 80% of AMI
- This existing development south of Olde Providence will undergo renovations, adding 14 rental subsidies for households earning 30% or less of AMI.
- Developer: Ascent Housing
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ποΈ Carter Work Project 2023: Building Homes at The Meadows at Plato Price
From October 1-6, 2023, The Meadows at Plato Price hosted the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Here's a snapshot:
- What Happened? Volunteers from around the world will helped build several of the 39 homes planned for The Meadows.
- Special Hosts: The week-long event was hosted by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
- City's Support: In 2018, Charlotte's City Council donated the land to Habitat for Humanity. They've also provided $1.2 million in funding and will offer down payment assistance to the homebuyers through the House Charlotte program.
- Historical Note: The Meadows is on the former Plato Price School site, important in African American education during segregation.
- Impact: When complete, this will be the largest, for-sale affordable housing development in the region.
Housing & Neighborhood Services' very own Cynthia Woods (Training Specialist), who volunteered last week, found special significance in this build. βIβm excitedβ¦ This housing development and the volunteer build have special meaning for me, as I actually attended Plato Price School many years ago. I was young, in elementary school, but I do still have a few memories!β
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π‘ Housing Support Grants to Provide $7.5M in Community Projects!
City Council recently greenlit five nonprofit projects through the Housing Support Grant program. This grant was designed to support local nonprofit agencies that aim to provide housing solutions for individuals or families most affected by COVID-19. Specifically, it targets those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or facing housing instability. The approved projects include:
- Heal Charlotte: $2.25M to secure 60 rooms at the Baymont by Wyndham hotel to serve families in or at risk of homelessness.
- Freedom Fighting Missionaries: $2M for the development of 37 rental units across two projects, catering to families earning 30%-80% AMI.
- Westside Community Land Trust: $1.75M for a revolving development fund to enable permanently affordable homeownership units for families in the 60%-80% AMI range.
- Rebuilding Together: $1.1M to provide critical home repairs for families at or below 80% AMI.
- Charlotte Family Housing: $400,000 to support the reopening of Hawthorne Place, a 6-room dormitory-style transitional shelter for working families experiencing homelessness, serving households below 80% AMI.
In addition, $99,000 was approved for Next Stage Consulting to provide capacity building services to the nonprofits.
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ποΈ Community Resilience Fund Grants Awarded
The City of Charlotte has distributed operating support grants amounting to $2.5M to 93 local non-profit organizations via the Community Resilience Fund (CRF). This fund, supported by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State & Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, prioritizes work that fosters racial equity and economic mobility in marginalized communities. The CRF was open to non-profits serving communities disparately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The city received 202 applications with requests exceeding $28.5M.
Additionally, an extra $1M from the CRF has been earmarked for administrative partner Hispanic Federation. It is anticipated that more grant disbursements will take place in October 2023. In total, the CRF expects to award up to $3.5M.
Some of the noteworthy recipients include Center for Employment Opportunities ($75,000), Council for Children's Rights ($100,000), Roof Above ($100,000), and many more.
Congratulations to all of the recipients!
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π¦Ί National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is This Month!
Join us from October 22-28 as we, alongside agencies like HUD, EPA, and CDC, highlight the issue of lead poisoning prevention. Celebrated annually, this week is dedicated to educating parents on how to minimize their childrenβs lead exposure and understand its health effects.
LeadSafe Charlotte Offers (for those who qualify):
- Free lead inspections at your home
- Free blood testing of children (finger stick)
- Free remediation of lead hazards at your home or rental property
Learn more eligibility for the LeadSafe Charlotte program!
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Special Events:
Catch our mascot, Lead Lady, in our "Where's Lead Lady?" photo challenge on social media! Guess her location for a chance at a bag of Housing & Neighborhood Services goodies. Additionally, look out for Lead Lady in-person readings and other entertaining videos. Keep an eye on our social channels to stay updated!
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π Updates From Charlotte's Quality of Life Team
Charlotte's Quality of Life Team, composed of members from Housing and Neighborhood Services, CDOT, the City Attorneyβs Office, CMPD, and Solid Waste, is actively addressing issues to enhance residents' daily lives.
The team's key concerns include:
- Commercial truck parking
- Illegal parking
- Littering
Hiring is now in progress for the Rapid Response Team within Code Enforcement! This team will operate extended hours and on weekends. Also, collaboration with Solid Waste Services and Keep Charlotte Beautiful has already led to cleaner neighborhoods. Notably, Keep Charlotte Beautiful volunteers have logged 9,500 hours, gathering around 5,000 bags of litter.
An update to council included the following proposed ordinance changes:
- Updating the commercial vehicles definition to align with UDO, considering both vehicle weight and size.
- Increasing fines for certain parking violations that pose safety or operational concerns. Examples include blocking the box, parking in a bike lane, parking on a light rail line, parking on the sidewalk, and commercial truck parking.
Keep an eye out for further updates from the Quality of Life Team!
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ποΈ Streets to Parks: Explore Charlotte's 'Corridors Connect' This October!
Join us for "Corridors Connect" this October! Inspired by the "Open Streets" series, these events will turn neighborhood streets into lively parks for a day. Set in the Corridors of Opportunity, each gathering will promote community, health, and connectivity.
Event Highlights:
- Happening on consecutive Sundays from 1-5 p.m. in October.
- Features food, fun, and activities for all ages.
- Located in the Corridors of Opportunity zones, aimed at rejuvenating underinvested areas in Charlotte.
Event Schedule:
- Oct. 15: Beatties Ford & Rozzelles Ferry; Graham St. & North Tryon.
- Oct. 22: West Blvd.; Freedom Dr. & Wilkinson Blvd.
Thank you to all who have helped organize and who are volunteering at these events!
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The cityβs Neighborhood Matching Grant program has hit the big 3-0! Over this period, the program has awarded 1,000+ grants, revitalized neighborhoods, and bolstered community spirit. The anniversary celebrations include:
- π Visual Timeline: A detailed graphic depicting the program's journey and its standout projects up to 2022 was on display at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.
- π Bus Tour: During the bus tour in September, the NMG review team took a tour of projects across the city. The tour gave riders a chance to learn, get inspired, and network with neighborhoods that have led successful projects. Check out the photo gallery here!
- π½οΈ Historical Video: Learn about the journey of the Neighborhood Matching Grant program in this video. Hear accounts from Tom Warshauer (former Assistant Director of Community Engagement), Philip Freeman (Neighborhood Partnership Manager), Nicole Storey (Community Engagement Division Manager), Jackie Clare (Community Grant Program Manager) and Cynthia Woods (Training Specialist). They highlight how the program has fostered collaboration between the city and neighborhoods through diverse projects like public art and community gardens, and how this has helped build a stronger community.
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Keep Charlotte Beautiful (KCB) is looking for ideas to beautify our city. If you have an idea, here's your opportunity to make it real!
π³ Grant Details:
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Who can apply? Neighborhoods, businesses, schools, nonprofits, individuals β everyone citywide is welcome!
- Focus Areas: Litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, beautification, and community greening.
π How to Apply:
- Draft a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the following:
- Description of your project (250 words or less)
- Project location, amount requested, tentative date, and stakeholders
- Why you/your group wants this grant
- How your idea will make a difference in the community
- Email your LOI to KCB@charlottenc.gov by November 15.
π Need More Insights? Attend KCB's Beautification Grant Workshop:
- Date: Wednesday, October 18
- Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
- Where: Online via Zoom (Details will be provided to registered attendees)
π Register at the Cityβs Neighborhood Training Programs and Resources page.
π€ Questions?
Ring KCB at π 704-432-4802 or drop an email at π kcb@charlottenc.gov.
Share this opportunity with friends, neighbors, and fellow Charlotte residents!
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ποΈ Code Enforcement Tip of the Month
October Reminder: Rollout containers should not be placed at the curb any earlier than the day before collection and must be removed by midnight the day of collection.
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π
Upcoming Events
π’ 2023 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference
Register for the 4th annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference hosted by the City of Charlotte in collaboration with Mecklenburg County Sheriffβs Office, Charlotte Fire Department, CMPD, and MEDIC.
- What: This event brings professionals from all sectors together for skill-building, networking, and breaking down diversity and inclusion barriers.
- When: November 5 - 8, 2023
- Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Ayrsley
Learn more and register now: Conference Website.
2023 Charlotte Monarch Celebration
Celebrate monarch butterflies and other pollinators with Charlotte's Landscape Management on October 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Reed Creek Nature Preserve. Enjoy crafts, seed giveaways, and more! No registration required.
Biketoberfest Presented by the City of Charlotte
Join us on October 22 for a cycling adventure through Charlotte, supporting Sustain Charlotte's vision of a healthy, equitable, and vibrant community. This event will be held from 12-4 p.m. Learn more and preview the route!
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π City Highlights: Latest Updates You Might Have Missed
City Receives $1.1M for Tree Care in Corridors of Opportunity
The City of Charlotteβs Landscape Management Division was awarded a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service to protect and preserve trees in historically underinvested neighborhoods, called Corridors of Opportunity.
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