Housing Trust Fund

The Housing Trust Fund

The Housing Trust Fund (HTF) is funded from voter-approved housing bonds and administered by Housing & Neighborhood Services' Housing Services division.

Charlotte City Council established the HTF in 2001 to provide financing to developers for affordable housing through voter-approved housing bonds, and the first development received financing in 2002. Since that time, the HTF has created or preserved 10,869 affordable units and 888 shelter beds. 3,690 of those units are reserved for households earning less than 30 percent of the Area Median Income, or under $25,250 per year for a family of four, making Charlotte more affordable for pre-school teachers, health care aides, and workers in hospitality, retail, and emergency services.

As of Dec. 2021, the City of Charlotte has allocated $218.8 million from Housing Trust Fund to go toward affordable housing.

Open requests for proposals related to the Housing Trust Fund are located on the Housing Services Requests for Proposals page. For more information about the Housing Trust Fund, contact Michael Englehart at (980) 297-1732 or michael.englehart@charlottenc.gov. 

2022: 20th Anniversary of the Housing Trust Fund

"The Housing Trust Fund has been a cornerstone in the effort to preserve and create affordable housing options in Charlotte. The first developments were funded in 2002, and 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the Housing Trust Fund.

 

As of Dec. 31, 2021, the Housing Trust Fund has provided more than $218.8 million in gap financing for 10,869 new and rehabilitated affordable housing units and 888 shelter beds."

- Vi Lyles, City of Charlotte Mayor

View the Housing Trust Fund 20th Anniversary Report(PDF, 1MB) to learn more about the history of the fund, accomplishments to date, lessons learned, and next steps in looking ahead for the next 20 years and beyond.

This year, the Great Neighborhoods Committee will analyze the Housing Trust Fund, including reviewing the strengths of the program over its 20-year history, identifying areas for improvement, and discussing how things may be done differently as Charlotte changes and grows.

The Housing Trust Fund has allowed us to build and preserve thousands of affordable units over the last 20 years. We will continue to work with all our partners in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to ensure that Charlotte residents will continue to have safe, quality, affordable places for the next 20 years and beyond.

Accomplishments 2002-2022

This is a map of all housing trust fund supported developments throughout the city of Charlotte. Please contact hnsinfo@charlottenc.gov if you would like a full list of the developments, including addresses.

This graphic represents housing trust fund developments for each level of area median income (AMI): 3,690 units at 30% AMI, 91 units at 40% AMI, 988 units at 50% AMI, 4,766 units at 60% AMI, 1,334 units at 80% AMI.

Lessons Learned

Affordable Housing Innovations

City-owned land - Leveraging city-owned land decreases the amount of other city financial support needed by developers, which enables the Housing Trust Fund dollars to go further. Several parcels have been identified as potential locations for affordable housing developments.

Project-based vouchers - Project-based vouchers provide low-income residents who need affordable housing access to amenities and opportunities that help lead to economic mobility.

Homelessness support - Those who are at 30% AMI or below are considered those most in need of affordable housing, often struggle to stay in stable housing, and are at highest risk of becoming homeless. Providing housing for this AMI level is very expensive and complex for developers, but it is crucial for those most in need. Developments that receive Housing Trust Fund support are required to set aside 20% of the units for those living at 30% AMI or below.

Moore Place

Moore Place is a supportive housing development that was the first in Charlotte to embody a "Housing First" philosophy, where every person has a fundamental right to housing, regardless of their abilities or conditions. The development provides permanent housing & support services for 120 chronically homeless adults. Residents are welcome to stay for as long as they wish and are able to access wraparound services on site. Since January 2012, nearly 300 of Charlotte's most vulnerable neighbors have called Moore Place home.

The Housing Trust Fund provided a first round of support to Moore Place in 2010 for 85 units, and construction was completed in 2012. A second round of funding was approved in 2013 for an 35-unit expansion, which was completed in 2016.

Mecklenburg County Community Support Services employees work with Urban Ministry Center staff to ensure individuals' successful adjustment to permanent supportive housing, and help individuals regain lives of wellness and stability.

This development has set not only a local standard for supportive housing, but also has garnered regional and national attention for its success.

Looking Ahead

As Charlotte continues to change, shift, and grow, the city's approach to the Housing Trust Fund must also evolve.

In 2022, the Great Neighborhoods Committee will analyze the Housing Trust Fund, identify areas for improvement, and discuss how things may be done differently as Charlotte changes and grows.