Charlotte Churches Turn Property Into 50 Affordable Townhomes
At the busy intersection of Old Concord Road and Rocky River Road West, Newell Presbyterian Church is putting its land to new use. By 2026, fifty new townhomes will replace what’s now empty space. The $15 million project aims to help workers making $59,000 or families of four earning $84,000 a year.
“For a church of less than 100 members to sit on about 10 acres with three buildings, when all of it is underutilized, is just not good stewardship. And we realized that we were called to do something different with it,” Pastor Matt Conner told Spectrum Local News.
Charlotte’s housing shortage is behind this move. The city lacks 36,000 homes. Most people renting who earn under $75,000 can’t handle the high costs: 61% are struggling to pay. Faith in Housing gathered 300 people at the Charlotte Convention Center. Members from 100 religious groups discussed ways to help fix the housing problem.
Little Rock AME Zion Church led the way earlier. Their Varick on 7th development now houses 105 units, with half reserved for income-qualified residents. Senior Pastor Derrill Blue put it plainly: “One of the things that I believe every church or faith-based organization should be a part of is meeting the needs and addressing the needs of the local community.”
At the same time, YWCA Central Carolinas is working on plans for 80 new homes. These will help people make between 30% and 60% of what most in the area earn.
New resident Chella Mills speaks for many: “This puts me into a more independent situation where I don’t have to depend on family as much.”
Once rezoning was approved, DreamKey Partners stepped in. They’re now looking to get money through voter-approved housing bonds.
Since COVID hit, homelessness in Charlotte has gone up dramatically. Now Caldwell Presbyterian Church wants to turn its unused property into housing that’s badly needed.
