On Thursday, December 1, 2016, ULI Charlotte released Living in Charlotte 2016:  Views on Housing Transportation and Community.  Diane Gavarkavich, Director of Research Service for UNC Charlotte Urban Institute summarized the findings, which was then followed by audience and panelist discussion.

When the audience was asked about why they chose to move to Charlotte (or remain here), some of the comments shared included:

• activity, growth, airport
• come for job, stayed for job opportunities
• affordability, quality of life
• balance of small and big city
• tree canopy, clean, Cost of Living, friendliness of people
• openness of doing business in Charlotte, weather, civic / cultural
• it feels right to stay
• to stay close to family

A panel which included Charles Teal, Saussy Burbank, Debra Campbell, City of Charlotte, and Peggy Hey, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, discussed the survey and Charlotte.  “The housing affordability concern voiced in the survey is representative of what we are hearing,” noted Debra Campbell, “but we need to offer more housing types. Can we consider some quad/duplexes as an option without push back on density?”  Another big question is, how can we manage cost and appropriately address affordable housing? In the 2017 election, more than 70% of the Charlotte voters supported a bond for affordable housing.  What is that saying to the marketplace?

The audience asked how can we increase the affordable housing options?  Can Charlotte begin to see more organic affordable housing rather than inclusionary zoning, as seen in other cities?  Are there ways to increase the number of units without rezoning?

The panel and audience agreed that many people choose to relocate or stay in charlotte for the quality of life.  The survey showed 85% of the respondents are pleased with the quality of life in Charlotte. As a community, we need to decide what we value in our community and what are we willing to fund?  This leads into the conversation about economic mobility. Elevating all people throughout the Charlotte region, to allow opportunities for those that are born into poverty, to get out of poverty.

While it wasn’t shown strongly in the survey results, the consensus was the quality of schools is critical to address a number of community opportunity and challenges. Schools are about our community!  People are important.

Click here to view the full report.
Click here to view the summary presentation.

Charlotte Business Journal http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2016/12/01/uli-survey-walkability-diverse-housing-options.html

Charlotte Observer http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/development/article118332628.html

UNC Charlotte Urban Institute http://ui.uncc.edu/story/uli-charlotte-preferences-housing-millennials-boomers

Mecklenburg Times http://mecktimes.com/news/2017/01/10/charlotte-area-residents-want-safer-walking-and-bicycling-routes/