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New Study: Affordable Housing Needed In North Mecklenburg

Charlotte Observer
Housing in Davidson

A new study of north Mecklenburg County shows a need for more housing aimed at people making less than $40,000 a year.  

UNC Charlotte's Urban Institute looked at population growth, employment patterns and housing in the towns of Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville.

The study found that about 23 percent of households are considered cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their incomes on housing. That's lower than the county average but still a problem, said Cornelius Town Planner Wayne Herron.

“I think what it's confirming is that we don't have homes in that price range for those folks who make under $40,000," Herron said. "We need to work harder and work together as a community to see if we can come up with plans that, you know, make that available.”  

Of the three towns, only Davidson has an affordable housing policy and most of the area's subsidized housing units are there. The Urban Institute's Bill McCoy said local leaders and residents told him in interviews they'd like to see the other two towns adopt their own policies to ensure affordable housing.

David Boraks previously covered climate change and the environment for WFAE. See more at www.wfae.org/climate-news. He also has covered housing and homelessness, energy and the environment, transportation and business.