Affordable Housing

The Housing and Community Revitalization (HCR) Division serves low-wealth families of Wake County by offering affordable housing opportunities and strengthening neighborhoods. All program activities benefit individuals and families with incomes below 80% of the area median family income. HCR is funded through Community Development Block Grants and HOME Grants from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the County's Community Improvements Plan budget.

HCR distributes funds based upon priorities established in the 5-year Consolidated Plan, a document that describes housing needs and sets forth strategies to meet those needs. Because the demand for housing exceeds what can be produced with funds available, priorities have been established for spending – very-low-income individuals and families (annual income below $25,000) who have the most acute housing needs receive the highest priority. Funds are used for the following activities:

• Housing Rehabilitation:  HCR helps homeowners and investor-owners repair their houses by providing low-interest or deferred-payment loans to prevent or correct health and safety problems; maintain and improve the supply of safe, decent, affordable housing units; and prevent homelessness.
• Property Acquisition:  HCR acquires property in order to develop single-family homes.
• Rental Housing Development: HCR encourages the development of affordable rental housing by making low-interest loans to developers.
• Community Development Activities: Community development activities include public facilities improvements and rehabilitation of buildings used for public purpose. These activities are often the cornerstone of neighborhood revitalization efforts. Without adequate infrastructure, it is impossible to build quality affordable housing. These improvements will provide access to needed public services, strengthen neighborhoods and complement housing rehabilitation and new construction.

In fiscal year 2005, HCR allocated $3,847,463 to assist 1,100 individuals and families. Since the demand for housing increases annually while funding remains fixed, HCR's biggest challenge will be to continue providing housing opportunities for Wake County's poorest residents. In addition to addressing funding constraints, HCR also must seek partnerships with other Wake County Human Services divisions to provide needed support services for the families housed. Educating the public on affordable housing also will be a focus of the HCR program, in an effort to eliminate neighborhood opposition to affordable housing developments.