Charlotte City Council committees are meeting today, September 8th. And we are reporting on the Housing Committee. During this session, I was joined by several members of the Canopy Realtor® Association Government Affairs Committee.
Two items of discussion included updates to the City’s Affordable Housing Policy, and a proposed amendment to the minimum housing code which would require air conditioning in all housing units.
During the housing policy discussion, several councilmembers expressed concern about the ongoing housing affordability challenges that exist throughout different parts of the city. Previously, concerns have been raised about the inability to construct additional affordable housing projects in Districts 6 and 7 where land values tend to be higher, and utilizing the proceeds from the Housing Trust Fund does not achieve the desired number of affordable units in those districts.
On a positive note, several committee members expressed the notion that affordable housing ought to be easier and less costly to build than other housing types, and that additional attention should be focused on the permitting and inspection process where delays are adding to the cost of a home. This is a matter that has long been flagged, and we are continuing to work toward solutions that will refine the process.
Councilmember LaWana Mayfield, Housing Committee Chair, went on the record with a statement regarding future voluntary annexations into the city. She shared her perspective that if developers want to annex new properties into the city, there should be conditions attached to that action. Those could include fixed housing costs for lower income earners, for a certain number of for-sale or rental units, that may be constructed as a part of such projects.
Following a presentation on the minimum housing code proposal that affects air conditioning, several committee members spoke, but appeared unready to act, as additional data was requested. Because the new ordinance, if enacted, would apply during summer months, the committee determined it needed additional time, and want to consider reaching out to more stakeholders prior to moving ahead with any definitive action.
My Take: Regarding affordable housing policy, specifically distribution of units, the committee keeps coming back to the political answer of wanting to construct affordable units more broadly throughout the city in order to achieve more socioeconomic integration. This is a lovely sounding goal, but resources are limited and variables are numerous. If we want to cut costs right away, I would encourage city leaders to take a look at their own regulatory framework, and review the time it takes to get through the city/county process. Streamlining that is achievable and could make a more immediately impact on housing costs and encouraging supply, than a broad-based overlay of housing that will certainly have unique requirements and limitations in whatever region they’re constructed.
HOMES (Helping Out Mecklenburg’s homeowners with Economic Support) provides economic assistance grants of up to $650 to qualifying Mecklenburg County homeowners. Residents within the Town of Davidson could qualify for an additional grant of up to $554.
Mecklenburg County homeowners eligible for a HOMES grant are those who have lived in their home for at least the last three years (if it is their primary residence), and have had no more than one delinquent tax bill in the last three years, as well as meeting a qualifying total household income level.
Please visit this link, email [email protected], or call 980-314-4663 for more details as well as read about other program considerations.
This year’s application period runs through Nov. 20, 2026.
My Take: As property taxes continue to rise (which is due in large part to increased property values,) some community residents need additional assistance to make ends meet. This program is available to earners making less than 80% of the Area Median Income as well those as not currently participating in the Homestead Exclusion, Tax Deferral (Circuit Breaker), Disabled Veterans Homestead Exclusion, or Present Use Value Program. Applications must be submitted and postmarked by November 20, 2026.
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