Affordable Housing: Part II

By FRAN FARRER

CHARLOTTE, NC – The community still marvels over the successes of St. Paul Baptist Church living out their vision of providing affordable housing for not only seniors but those with insufficient incomes to afford a better way of life based on housing costs in the city of Charlotte and surrounding areas.

We encourage other houses of faith regardless of denomination to build partnerships with various city and county entities, banks, philanthropist, and others that can provide funding for such a task; builders willing to work at reduced rates, architects decreasing their design cost, and others willing to work for the cause.

St. Paul was blessed by Rev. Dr. Gregory Moss’s vision, Gwen Garnett’s leadership, and Dr. Robert Scott’s eagerness to pick up the ball and run. But are our cities doing enough? Are they speaking but not working for those in need of affordable housing? Are they working to increase the minimum wage so that people can afford even a $500 rental cost, food, medicine, utilities if they are not included? At a glance, most would say no.

As one looks at most housing in any of the 5 counties that The County News serves, there are areas not only looking distressed, but the people living inside are depressed. Jobs with low pay will not solve their problems; and all people living in those situations are not drug addicts, prostitutes or pimps. They are people trying to live on $7.50 per hour before taxes.

We speak of crime rates increasing due to break-ins, robberies, etcetera, but what are we truly doing? Many people still to feed their families, not just to not have to work themselves.

I would dare to wage a bet that if our officials put as much energy into working to provide affordable housing as we do in gaining more sports arenas, affordable housing would become a breeze. Are we courting builders for affordable housing, or just those with monthly rental rates ranging from $1,200 to $3,000.00 per month and higher?

Most people living in poor living conditions are doing so because they do not own the property and should not have to repair and pay. Often if they repair and don’t pay they are evicted. All living in unlivable conditions did not break the 30-year-old pipes, damage faulty wiring, or wear out the wrought iron pillars; those things come with age and are the responsibility of the owner. However, some officials tend to blame the conditions solely on the residents. Maybe they are slum-lords?

As I’ve searched to complete this 2-part series I’ve found it may take far longer and many more segments using city, county and independent research documents and publications. One excellent tool I’ve found that saves much time and research is the “Charlotte State of the City 2018 Report produced by Rob Kelly, President & CEO for Charlotte Mission Network.

The County News will not climb on the band wagon of cherry-picking and placing blame on one or two elected officials, but we will encourage you to vote. Remember, a two-term official often catches what was voted on prior and cannot be changed for a limited period of time, therefore vote each time for you, your family and your city. Do not vote to remove officials that are working, but cast your vote for what is right.

When one does not vote, one loses his or her voice. Follow us for PART III.