About us

Where Habitat Charlotte Builds

Habitat Charlotte works in one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States, with a current urban population of more than 600,000 people. Of that local population, an estimated 91,666 people are currently living below poverty level, and half are children under the age of 18.

According to the Charlotte American Housing Survey, more than 54,000 Charlotte-metro area families face severe cost burdens in regards to their housing: this means they spend 50% or more of their salary on housing each month. The same survey found that nearly 10,000 housing units in Charlotte were overcrowded and/or severely defective.

Since 1983, Habitat Charlotte has built homes in over 30 neighborhoods throughout the city.  As part of our mission, we work in close relationship with neighborhoods, their associations, and local leaders to create sustainable development projects that focus on the best interest of the entire community.

Habitat homeowners annually contibute nearly $500,000 in property taxes.  In addition, they increase their personal equity in their homes by $2 million each year. In turn, our homeownership program has created a committed class of homeowners, who continually take an active role in the development and protection of their respective neighborhoods. Two neighborhoods in particular are shining examples of the effect that Habitat and its homeowner partners can have on an entire community.

Oakview Terrace

Habitat Charlotte first began construction in the Oakview Terrace Neighborhood in 1996.  Located near the Brookshire Freeway and I-85, Oakview Terrace had a reputation as one of Charlotte's worst neighborhoods.  Endangered by drugs and crime, it struggled to attract new homeowners.

So in 1996, Habitat built an initial 6 homes and worked with local police and neighborhood associations to develop a community action plan to revitalize the neighborhood.  Since then, more than 40 Habitat homeowners have partnered with us to construct their houses and rejuvenate what was a dying community. Habitat's commitment to homeowners and neighborhoods has helped Oakview Terrace create a safe community for all of its residents.

Druid Hills

The Druid Hills Neighborhood is located along Statesville Avenue, a few miles north of Uptown Charlotte.  Since 2003, Habitat has made a concerted effort to revitalize this at-risk, historic Charlotte neighborhood through new home construction and homeownership training. 

All told, over 30 Habitat homes have gone up, and we hope to complete a total of 55 homes in Druid Hills by the end of 2008. To date, through land acquisition and new home construction, Habitat Charlotte has invested a total of more than $2.5 million in Druid Hills.

In 2006, Habitat worked with local home builders to build 16 houses in 5 days as part of the National Home Builders Blitz Campaign.  In June 2007, we intend to build 10 more homes as part of our affiliate’s own 2007 Home Builders Blitz Project.