CCM January 2023 Perspective Newsletter

WHY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING cont.
What makes Cabarrus County Unique?
After our major employer closed in 2003 and
Cabarrus County experienced the largest mass layoff
in the history of North Carolina, market studies of
our communities revealed an inadequate supply of
multi-family housing to satisfy the demand. The
reason, in part, is due to our textile heritage and “mill
village” housing infrastructure. Many local landlords
shouldered the burden of tenants caught in the
economic disaster.
Successful local
A grandmother in our
investors became
community, whose rent had property owners of
increased from $900 to multiple properties
$1,100 per month, received in a short period
notice that it would increase
of time. As market
again to more than $1,800
prices escalated,
per month. She needs a
the initial investors
place to live right now.
benefited from
outside interests
willing to pay market prices for large portfolios
of houses. Gentrification found its way into our
communities.
While much of the adversity our community is
facing has a national footprint, there are factors that
impacted our community twenty years ago. Those
factors have weakened the foundation of our local
economy, our workforce, and left many households
facing financial and social/emotional challenges
they cannot overcome without some assistance or
training.
The average age of the laid-off worker in 2003
was forty-six years old. The younger of that group
had children whose opportunities may have been
negatively impacted. The seniors of that group are
sixty-five and older today. During the five years
following
this
economic
disaster,
many
cashed
out equity
in their
homes or
retirement
accounts to
survive the
Our local school systems identify
over 500 children who are homeless
in our community each year.
The Rebuilders Campus will create
housing and access to resources
for parents and children, providing
stability vital to education and
employment.
period that led directly into the Great Recession.
With the loss of manufacturing wages and the
transition to an economy based upon tourism, the
retail and hospitality sectors generated wages
unable to keep pace with the rising housing market
of the next ten years.
John and Mary Roberts' mobile home was no longer safe for either of them. A low-fixed
income, their ages and her condition had proven to be obstacles to finding an alternate
housing solution. During their working years, they found employment and stability in the
textile mill where they developed many friendships along the way. Today they are very much
alone.
Local Services introduced the Roberts to CCM's housing program where they could be
safe, manage their finances and maintain medical appointments. Unfortunately, Mary's
health required that she be placed in assisted living. John was able to handle the routines
of independent living and financial planning but soon compromised in the areas of
nutrition, exercise, attention to medications and appointments. As a result of isolation,
John experienced numerous health setbacks, transport services, emergency rooms and
hospitalizations. His mobility suffered, greatly reducing his ability to manage daily life.
After two years, many health setbacks and cost burdens to the community, John was able to
move to the assisted living environment where he will be able to enjoy time with his wife of
more than fifty years.
Grace Place is designed to serve members of our community like these who helped to create
the foundations we build upon.
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