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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-2024 NHC Housing Program Impact Report - Digital2022-2024IMPACTREPORT New Hanover CountyHousing Program In 2021, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners committed $15 million over the next five years to workforce and affordable housing projects. This commitment led to the creation of the Housing Program within the county’s Planning and Land Use Department. This program is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing housing investments and community development projects. The Workforce Housing Services Program (WHSP) ensures comprehensive affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate- income households. The program addresses housing needs by increasing the supply of affordable units, retaining existing workforce and affordable housing stock, and increasing residents’ access to those homes. With a focus on creating an immediate impact, County Commissioners established the program’s goals and priorities based on the New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Housing Needs Assessment and the Joint Workforce Housing Advisory Committee (WHAC) Strategic Plan. Through this initiative, the county has awarded approximately $3 million each year to developers and agencies whose projects and programs meet the goals and priorities of the WHSP. Housing Investments New units created 497 Existing units repaired 40 Households receiving rental assistance 127 WHSP Impact Breakdown $9,000,000 LOCAL AND FEDERAL FUNDS 9 PUBLIC-PRIVATE PROJECTS $131,544,556 PROJECT BUDGETS 664 UNITS/HOUSEHOLDS Residence at Canopy Pointe Workforce HousingServices Program Page 2 of 5 Thank you for everything you do! This program is the reason I can live in Wilmington! Gap Rental Assistance Program Participant New Hanover County designed the Gap Rental Assistance Program to strengthen neighborhoods and communities by leveraging American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to effectively reduce the housing cost burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This pilot program, which ran from 2022 to 2024, successfully addressed the affordability gap between incomes and rent costs by providing middle-income workforce families with a monthly rent subsidy. Gap RentalAssistance Program Gap Rental Assistance Client Employment Sectors* Teacher HousingAssistance Program The Housing Team provides case management and fiscal support to the Teacher Housing Assistance Program, a pilot project led by the county’s Office of Strategy. Developed in 2021, this program alleviates the housing burden for teachers in Title I K-3 schools by providing a quarterly subsidy towards rent or mortgage, improving teacher retention and enhancing educational outcomes for students. Since the program’s launch, approximately $100,000 has been committed to support 18 households. In 2024, this program was recognized by the National Association of Counties for its innovative integration of housing support and educational strategies. Page 3 of 5 RENT SUBSIDIES RESULTING IN GREATER HOUSING STABILITY FOR $775,000 252 RESIDENTS IN125 HOUSEHOLDS* *The above data does not include the Teacher Housing Assistance Program *The above chart does not include the Teacher Housing Assistance Program LEGEND Existing CFPUA Water Stations NHC Pilot Project Water Stations Community Development In 2018, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) installed two water stations in Ogden Park and Veterans Park as a short-term initiative to provide free, clean water to area residents in response to water contamination. Building on this effort, in 2023, the county partnered with CFPUA to expand the initiative with plans to install four additional community water stations across New Hanover County. To date, stations have been installed at St. James AME Church, Scotts Hill Community Center, and Shoulders Branch Missionary Baptist Church. All stations are hosted by nonprofit civic organizations or places of worship and are available for public use. Additionally, the county and CFPUA are actively working on medium- and long-term initiatives to ensure sustainable access to clean water for all residents. Water Station Locations Community Water StationsPilot Project St. James AME Church Water Station Shoulders Branch Missionary Baptist Church Water Station Scotts Hill Community Center Water Station Page 4 of 5 Water Sewer Loan Program This program offers small loans to low-income homeowners for connection to the county’s water and sewer systems. The primary goal is to make water and sewer connections affordable for low- income households. In response to community input, revisions are proposed in FY 25-26 to broaden eligibility criteria, allowing civic and nonprofit organizations owning community facilities to qualify for assistance. This expansion would support initiatives that improve public health, safety, and overall well-being in underserved communities. Estrella Landing Scotts Hill Community Theo McClammy Housing Program Manager tmcclammy@nhcgov.com 910-798-7180 Kourtney Wilson Housing Program Coordinator kwilson@nhcgov.com 910-798-7283 In September 2024, the county, in partnership with CFPUA and Insight Planning & Development, applied to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure (CDBG-I) Program for $3 million to extend public water main lines to the Scotts Hill community. As part of the process, community engagement and surveys were conducted with over 80 households. The project is intended to provide water connection to 57 parcels. DEQ is anticipated to announce the funding decisions in February 2025. Proposed Scotts HillWater Main Extension About Us To learn more, please visit our website. Page 5 of 5 The NHC Housing Program is dedicated to the development and management of affordable housing and community development initiatives. The team works in partnership with public, private, and nonprofit sectors to create and support projects that embody the county’s commitment to housing affordability and fostering collaborative community improvement efforts.