CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The city council is taking major steps to ease the affordable housing crisis in Charlotte.
On Tuesday night, members gave the green light to eight different projects across town. The vote allocated nearly $17.7 million, adding 950 units.
The new projects come amid scorching criticism about how projects are being approved.
"I want to address the inadequacy of the information that gets provided to us."
A string of speakers criticized the city's lack of community input.
"Nobody's telling us what's goin' on."
"The public discussion has been limited by this council telling the community what you are going to do."
"This approach has left to many members of the community dissatisfied and has eroded a fragile trust."
Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera was among several members who agreed there is work to be done but said it was important to move quickly.
"We really need to start moving the needle in the right direction and approve this as we strengthen the process when it comes to community engagement."
"Anytime you do something completely different from how you have historically done it, there are going to be bumps in the road."
The council moved forward earmarking $12.8 million from the Charlotte Housing Trust Fund as well as transferring city-owned land for six new projects and two renovations.
The projects are a small step toward the 24,000 units needed for low-income renters, but community advocates hope its a step toward more voices and more perspectives -- all for better outcomes.
"It is a fact that affordable housing and building neighborhoods and communities where people from all levels of the economic ladder can comfortably safely exist and thrive has not been on the priority of city councils in the past."
WCNC is one of six media partners committed to covering the affordable housing crisis with assistance from the Knight Foundation through Solutions Journalism Network.
