|  | ![]() | Charlotte Housing Authority and Crosland Begin Two New Mixed-Income Affordable Housing CommunitiesCharlotte, N.C., November 29, 2005 – Utilizing remaining HOPE VI funds from their successful public-private revitalizations at Arbor Glen and the Park at Oaklawn, the Charlotte Housing Authority and Crosland have begun two new mixed-income, affordable housing communities in part to provide replacement housing for units removed in the redevelopment effort.
Nia Point, located at the former Mayfield Terrace site in Washington Heights, will consist of 81 two- and three-bedroom garden apartments and townhomes. Montgomery Gardens, located at the intersection of Beatties Ford and Sunset roads, will feature 76 two- and three-bedroom garden apartments.
Both will be restricted to working families making 30 to 60 percent of Mecklenburg County’s median income, $64,100. Twenty-nine of the homes in Nia Point and 20 of the homes in Montgomery Gardens will be public housing, supported by the income generated from the higher-rent apartments. Both developments combine HOPE VI monies, federal and state tax credits, a City of Charlotte Housing Trust Fund loan and Federal Home Loan AHP funds. Each reflects the Housing Authority’s long-term plan to replace outdated public housing projects with self-sustaining affordable housing communities occupied by families that have a range of incomes.
“We have found that low-income families are more satisfied and successful in mixed-income communities and they become independent and self-sufficient more quickly,” said Charles Woodyard, Chief Executive Officer of the Charlotte Housing Authority. “Furthermore, the communities themselves should be financially self-sufficient when complete, rather than being an ongoing drain on public dollars.”
Crosland previously partnered with the Housing Authority on similar mixed-income communities at the Park at Oaklawn and Arbor Glen, both of which earned nationwide recognition by the National Association of Homebuilders. In each case, crime-ridden public housing was replaced with an attractive community that enhanced the surrounding neighborhoods. Achieving nearly 100 percent occupancy, they have proven that mixed-income affordable housing is both desirable and economically viable.
“The Crosland philosophy regarding such housing is that it is successful only if its residents are proud to live there, so we build our affordable-housing communities with the same quality, amenities and attention to detail that we employ in any market-rate community,” said Jud Little, president of Crosland’s apartments division. Crosland’s apartments and contracting divisions collaborate on the development process.
Built in the 1960s, the former Mayfield Terrace apartments were functionally obsolete an underutilization of the Housing Authority property, with only 46 units. Crosland began demolition in January and new construction in April. At the suggestion of Mattie Marshall, a local activist and president the Washington Heights Youth Service Center, Crosland and the Housing Authority agreed to rename the new community Nia Point. Nia is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Meaning “purpose,” it focuses on the commitment to build and reinforce family, community and culture.
Montgomery Gardens is a new community further north on Beatties Ford Road. Occupancy for it and Nia Point is expected in fall 2006.
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