CCM January 2023 Perspective Newsletter

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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. continued >>
WHY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING cont. The cycle of loss that leads to the housing crisis is a long road that precedes homelessness. It leaves many damaging consequences along the way. These losses become barriers to recovery and prevent a return to stability for vulnerable households. Debt and credit issues, loss of equity and loss of savings, interruption of employment and education, unhealthy habits, unstable family dynamics, and loss of key relationships are all consequences of the cycle of loss that leads to a housing crisis. The ability to qualify for financing, establish a lease or utility credit has made affordable housing beyond reach for many working adults, fixed-income seniors and families with children. Why Invest Now? In 2020, the economic shutdown related to the pandemic directly impacted the most marginal workers in our community as those very industries were idled. The far less localized The Cycle of Loss: Debt & credit issues Loss of equity Loss of savings Employment interruption Break in education Unhealthy habits Stress on families Loss of key relationships housing property management structure placed many more households in jeopardy and began a cycle of loss for thousands of low-income seniors and families with children. The loss of employment supports like child care and stable housing has made a return to the workplace difficult for many. High inflation has added to the burden of virtually all household-related costs. There are many households in crisis in our community who possess the desire and the work ethic to overcome the barriers facing them. The transitional housing programs of Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM) provide opportunity, training, and encouragement to those households who are willing to persevere. Every major institution in Cabarrus County has identified housing as one of, if not the most important, challenge facing our community today. Whether stated Whether stated as homelessness, as homelessness, housing crisis, or a lack of a housing affordable housing, there is crisis, or a lack consensus; we have a problem. of affordable housing, there is consensus; we have a problem. A coalition of local nonprofits are working together to create solutions, but we need a sense of urgency to prevail at every level. In Cabarrus County, our economic development and population growth prevail upon us to become what we do not want and cannot afford to be - unless we respond now. Concord and Kannapolis are at an inflection point in growth where we must address the issue of the housing crisis, while the benefits of growth are helping to provide the resources - or we will miss the window of opportunity. How Can YOU Help CCM? CCM has served our Cabarrus community through every economic disaster for the past forty-two years. We have addressed housing crises from emergency shelters to transitional housing and homeownership. We are uniquely positioned and experienced to engage our communities in a significant response to the imminent crisis. We must also begin to educate our neighbors to welcome innovative IN THIS EDITION... From Our Chief Relationship Officer........................4 2025 New Horizon Strategic Plan Updates........... 5 Church Partners Spotlights.......................................... 6 Thank You!.......................................................................... 7 UPCOMING EVENTS....................................................... 8 CCM is uniquely positioned and experienced to engage our communities in a significant response to the imminent crisis. Our history demonstrates the ability to sustain those programs for generations to come. housing solutions that will preserve the value of our community and protect the investments of our business and social districts. CCM is asking every member of our community to follow the leadership of our County Commissioners by taking immediate action to support CCM's Bold New Initiative; Grace Place in Kannapolis and The Rebuilders Campus in Concord. January 2023 can be the moment when the people of Cabarrus County, North Carolina lay a new foundation for housing stability in our community. Please pray and find a way to get involved.
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CCM January 2023 Perspective Newsletter

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