Affordable Housing Bus Tour

GREATER CHARLOTTE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION HOSTS

PRIDE OF PLACE: AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUS TOUR

CHARLOTTE, NC, March 16, 2017 

The Pride of Place bus tour of affordable communities took place on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. The tour was envisioned and organized by the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association in response to heightened concerns about housing for cost-burdened households, with a conviction that the community needs increased awareness and a better understanding of housing delivery mechanisms. Seeing examples of successful communities on the ground is important - as well as an understanding of housing finance mechanisms - in order to better grasp the way funding sources can be assembled, how this translates into rental rates, and which consumers are housed.

The Charlotte communities that were included on the tour were Vistas @ 707, The Park at Oaklawn, Brightwalk Neighborhood, Tyvola Crossing and the Residences at Renaissance. Tim Murdock, an attendee on the tour, stated “The overall planning and execution of the tour was excellent.  Not only were all needs taken into consideration, but the professionalism exhibited made me excited about how affordable housing is being currently supported and strategically planned for the future.”

The panelists and speakers offered a well-rounded and diverse perspective. They included:

Jeff Meadows, Horizon Development Properties, Senior Development Officer

Alysia Osborne, Charlotte Center City Partners, Director of Historic West End

Julie Porter, Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, President

Pam Wideman, City of Charlotte Neighborhood & Business Services, Deputy Director

Fulton Meachem, Charlotte Housing Authority, President & Chief Executive Officer

Dionne Nelson, Laurel Street Residential, President and CEO

Ella Scarborough, Chair of the Mecklenburg County Commissioners

Clay Grubb, Grubb Properties

Programs such as this will hopefully advance the community dialogue about housing costs, housing delivery methods, housing needs and the target population, and ultimately help to continue to bring about appropriate action by government, business, and non-profits.