County helping out with Charlotte's affordable housing crisis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County officials announced on Wednesday a plan to build an affordable housing complex on 14 acres in Grier Heights.

“It is a huge deal, and it is a space we should be in,” Commissioner Mark Jerrell, D-District 4, said.

The county is starting to gauge developers’ interest in building an affordable housing complex at the location.

Officials want a mixed-income community with 20% to 25% of the units available for people who make below or at 30% of the area's median income, which is $23,700 for a family of four.

The complex would have apartments and homes to purchase with a maximum price of $230,000.

[WSOC-TV SPECIAL SECTION: Charlotte's Affordable Housing Crisis]

“I am glad it is getting off the ground finally,” Jerrell said.

Getting involved with affordable housing is a new territory for Mecklenburg County, which has been the focus for Charlotte city leaders.

County commissioners felt compelled to act because of the housing crisis.

“Because of the need of the community, we have taken that responsibility to take care of, and I would hope that the city will thank us for doing this,” Commissioner Vilma Leake, D-District 2, said.

The county roughly estimates it could be about three years before the project is ready because of planning and construction.

Leake said it needs to happen as soon as possible.

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“I want to live long enough to live in one of them myself,” Leake said.

Cox Media Group