Affordable Housing in Charlotte: True Homes Expands Workforce Homeownership Program

Teachers, Firefighters, and Police Officers Gain New Path to Homeownership in Queen City

Charlotte’s affordability crisis has pushed homeownership out of reach for many essential workers. True Homes Foundation says it has a solution.

At a recent Charlotte City Council zoning hearing, True Homes announced that 10% of its annual home production—roughly 250 homes per year—will be dedicated to affordable workforce housing.

The Doorway to Prosperity program will focus on helping those earning 80% to 110% of the area median income (AMI)—including teachers, firefighters, and police officers—purchase rather than rent homes.

“True Foundation is dedicating 10% of its volume toward affordable housing,” said Ron Staley of True Homes. “That equates to 250 homes a year. We currently have over 100 homes that will be built in the Charlotte metro market, and our first CMS teacher will close on a home next month.”

Charlotte’s Housing Crisis: A Drop in the Bucket?

Charlotte’s 2030 Comprehensive Housing Strategy has estimated that the city needs at least 34,000 more affordable housing units just to meet demand.

While 250 homes per year is a notable commitment, it doesn’t begin to fill that gap. The real challenge is scale.

City Council members Dimple Ajmera and Malcolm Graham praised True Homes’ efforts, but the broader issue remains: will Charlotte’s zoning policies and infrastructure investments support these types of developments, or will affordability continue to slip out of reach?

“It’s great to see that there is some affordable housing being developed close to jobs,” said Ajmera. “I appreciate you helping us meet our affordable housing goal.”

Homeownership Over Rentals: A Shift in Strategy?

Many affordability efforts in Charlotte focus on rental units, often subsidized through the Housing Trust Fund or private partnerships.

But True Homes’ approach is different—prioritizing homeownership to give middle-income earners a path to equity in the housing market.

This aligns with broader national trends, where cities struggling with affordability are shifting toward ownership-based solutions rather than long-term rental assistance.

Councilmember Victoria Watlington has often pushed for better zoning policies and infrastructure alignment in affordable housing discussions. While she was not quoted in this specific hearing, she has previously argued that affordability must be tied to long-term planning and transit access—something that continues to be a challenge in Charlotte.

What’s Next?

With over 100 homes already planned in Charlotte under this program, the real test will be whether similar homebuilders follow suit—or if this remains a one-off effort in a market still favoring high-end development.

For now, the first CMS teacher closing on a home next month is a small but significant milestone.

The question remains: is this a turning point, or just another isolated win in a city still struggling with its affordability crisis?

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