MORII Community Center Logo
MORII Community CenterDifference Driven

North Carolina Housing Landscape

Local Context and Implementation Opportunities

North Carolina CLT Network Growth

Community Land Trusts Across North Carolina
12

Active CLTs

across the state

850+

CLT Homes

permanently affordable

$6M

Mecklenburg Investment

in West Side CLT

25%

Growth Rate

annual expansion

Key NC CLT Locations:

Triangle Region:

  • • Orange Community Housing & Land Trust
  • • Chatham Community Land Trust
  • • Durham Community Land Trustees

Charlotte Region:

  • • West Side CLT (Mecklenburg County)
  • • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership
  • • Habitat for Humanity CLT Program

NC Funding Sources

Available Funding for Community Housing Initiatives

Federal Funding

HUD HOME Program$2.8M annually
USDA Rural Development$1.5M available
CDFI Fund$246M nationally

State & Local Funding

NC Housing Trust Fund$50M annually
Mecklenburg County$6M committed
Charlotte Housing Fund$15M available

Mecklenburg County Opportunities

Housing Need
  • 36,000 affordable housing unit shortage
  • Charlotte ranks 50/50 for economic mobility
  • Median home price increased 45% since 2020
  • Cost-burdened households: 35% of renters
Existing Assets
  • $6M county investment in West Side CLT
  • Strong foundation for scaling cooperative models
  • Active community development corporations
  • Established partnerships with housing nonprofits

How Difference Driven Fits In

We're positioning ourselves to be part of this proven network of community-controlled housing initiatives, starting with research and community organizing.

Our Current Phase:

  • Community asset mapping and needs assessment
  • Building partnerships with existing CLTs
  • Researching funding opportunities
  • Developing community education programs

Future Implementation:

  • Pilot cooperative housing project
  • Community land acquisition strategy
  • Resident leadership development
  • Integration with community center programming

Support Housing Justice in North Carolina

Help us research and develop community-owned housing solutions that build wealth and strengthen neighborhoods in Charlotte and beyond.