The Critical Need for Home Repair: Preserving Affordable Housing in Mecklenburg County

The images above illustrates a stark reality: the critical need for home repairs in our community. This outdated electrical panel belongs to a family living below the poverty line in an affluent Charlotte neighborhood.

Despite owning their mobile home, this family faces significant housing insecurity due to the deteriorating condition of their residence. This family, like many others, experienced unforeseen circumstances that impacted their income and ability to maintain their home. Years of hard work and the expectation of a comfortable retirement have been shattered, leaving them vulnerable to housing instability.

The loss of this affordable housing unit would have devastating consequences. With limited options available, this family would likely face homelessness due to the inability to afford traditional rent or qualify for a mortgage.

The homeowner gave us permission to share their story and pictures as they know, they are not alone. This situation highlights a critical issues in Mecklenburg County: the dwindling and deteriorating availability of affordable housing. According to the Mecklenburg County Housing and Homelessness Report:

• Low-cost rentals are disappearing: The number of low-cost housing units for low-income households has plummeted from 45% in 2011 to just 8% today.

• Housing affordability is a major concern: 61% of renters earning less than $75,000 per year are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

• Evictions are on the rise: Eviction filings increased by 37% in the past year, leaving 13,000 households at risk of losing their homes.

• Homelessness is increasing: The number of people experiencing homelessness in Mecklenburg County has risen, with a significant increase in unsheltered homelessness.

These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for solutions. Preserving existing affordable housing stock, such as this family's mobile home, is crucial to ensuring housing stability for low-income residents. However, traditional funding sources often overlook critical home repairs for mobile homes. This leaves many families vulnerable and exacerbates the affordable housing crisis.

How can you help?

1. Spread the word: Share this post and raise awareness about the critical need for home repair in our community, especially for mobile and manufactured homes.

2. Donate: Support Affordable Housing For the Carolinas by attending our "A Harlem Nights Affair" fundraiser by purchasing your tickets and clicking the link here,

   participating in our silent online auction by either purchasing or donating items to be featured here ,

   or making a direct donation on our website here as all the proceeds from the campaign will benefit our home repair program.

3. Get involved: Subscribe to our mailing list to stay informed about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. For more information please reach out to us at info@ahftc.org.

   
   

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors and ensure that everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.