Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte hosts meeting to discuss affordable housing crisis

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — A top priority in Iredell County is affordable housing.

Habitat for Humanity held a meeting on Thursday morning in Mooresville to discuss the affordable housing crisis and its impact on North Mecklenburg and Iredell Counties. The meeting was made up of landlords, developers, and those struggling to find long-term or permanent affordable housing.

Habitat for Humanity says it is putting in lots of extra work to keep up with the high demand. Laura Belcher, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, told Channel 9′s Anthony Kustura that the community is underbuilt and they have the challenge of remodeling decades of work.

“We have underbuilt as a community and as a society in this country for several years and decades, and that is a challenge now that we need to try and unwind,” Belcher said.

Because of Iredell County’s location on Lake Norman, home affordability is impacted. Home values increase year after year, driving out current residents and keeping away first-time homeowners.

In 2022, Habitat for Humanity invested almost $2 million to build 19 new homes. This year in Mooresville, the nonprofit is working hard to get more land to build a dozen affordable townhomes. With vacant lots of land being hard to come by, Habitat for Humanity is also looking to repair existing homes.

Rhonda Wilson, a Mooresville native, told Kustura that her 50-year-old home was in need of a facelift or else she would be kicked out. With help from Habitat for Humanity, Wilson’s home repairs will be finished later this summer.

“I wasn’t able to afford it anymore because I lost my job,” Wilson explained, and it’s kind of scary, you know, so I’m thankful for Habitat for Humanity for helping people in need.”

The nonprofit says it will continue its hard work because it believes everyone is entitled to a safe and affordable place to live.

“We’re trying to work both ends; we’re trying to build new homes and preserve existing homes to allow people to stay in the community they know and love,” Belcher said.

To access Mooresville’s Housing Needs Survey, please click here.

(WATCH BELOW: Need for affordable housing increases as availability decreases, Meck County reports)

Need for affordable housing increases as availability decreases, Meck County reports

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