Mecklenburg County and West Side Community Land Trust Partner to Secure 32 Houses to Protect Hoskins Neighborhood
Many homes along Hoskins Road were in a period of transition. As Mecklenburg County has been steadfast in its commitment to housing affordability, leaders learned of a unique opportunity to create a generational impact in this neighborhood. A landlord who owned 32 homes was open to conversations about the future. Knowing that the sale of so many homes at once could dramatically impact the neighborhood and potentially create a wave of gentrification, County and community leaders worked together for a solution.
In a partnership with the West Side Community Land Trust (West Side CLT), the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners approved $6M from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to West Side CLT. “Mecklenburg County's ARPA grant is the largest gift we've received to date from a single funding source. The support provided by the County has been catalytic in our efforts to preserve and create perpetual affordability,” said Charis Blackmon, Executive Director of West Side CLT. “This is an example of what’s possible with large-scale municipal investment. Without the county’s deep support, these homes likely would have been lost, families displaced, and affordability erased.”
“This pivotal partnership results in a powerful outcome. Mecklenburg County is committed to improving and expanding housing affordability in our neighborhoods,” said Dena R. Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager. “The Hoskins Road community will be revitalized by this development, and we appreciate the partnership of West Side Community Land Trust. The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved this grant knowing it will make a generational difference. We are proud to support and protect our neighborhoods.”
There will be a neighborhood celebration to mark the new and important chapter, hosted by West Side CLT. We will also learn about the other critical partners that worked together to make this affordable preservation effort a success. “Public-private partnerships are critical to ensuring that everyone has a place to belong in our community,” said Joel Dancy, Fifth Third Bank’s Community Impact Manager for the Carolinas. “Fifth Third Bank is proud to partner with West Side CLT and Mecklenburg County to create and preserve affordability for generations to come here in Hoskins and beyond.”
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 4 – 6 p.m.
Hoskins Avenue Baptist Church, 101 South Hoskins Rd. Charlotte, NC 28208
Additional Info:
West Side Community Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, created by neighbors, to organize and empower the West Charlotte community (zip codes: 28208, 28214, 28216, 28217). The land trust aims to preserve and develop neighborhoods, to the benefit of low-income residents, as well as the neighborhoods in the face of rapid reinvestment and subsequent displacement of long-time residents. The membership organization is governed by an elected board with majority control given to the neighbors of the West Charlotte community. The mission of West Side CLT is to create permanently affordable housing with community-centered development in West Charlotte and beyond.
Community Land Trusts create permanently affordable housing in targeted geographic areas by acquiring land through donations, bequests, city-owned property transfers and services. Land is developed in partnership with organizations committed to building or rehabbing sustainable quality homes. Qualified low-income neighbors purchase the homes and build equity at a fixed appreciation. While they own the home, land ownership is retained by the land trust and leased to the owner via a 99-year lease.
One of the most challenging issues facing Mecklenburg County is the displacement of long-time residents from their neighborhoods in the wake of rapid redevelopment and rising land values.