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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Partnership Rallies Community to Help Lake Arbor Families

When more than 170 families at Lake Arbor apartments received notice to move out before year's end, Crisis Assistance Ministry joined a partnership of agencies to help affected residents avoid homelessness. Initial estimates show the community will need an additional $350,000 to assist affected families.

August 22, 2019

When more than 170 families at Lake Arbor Apartments received notice to move out, Crisis Assistance Ministry joined a partnership of six local agencies aimed at helping affected residents avoid homelessness as a result of their displacement. Named Project SAFE (Stop Apartments From Evicting), the purpose was to assess individual households’ need for possible relocation or financial assistance and determine community impact.

On July 30, 2019, letters were placed on 177 apartment doors in the largely low-income complex, announcing the landlord’s intent to vacate all units between August 2019 and early 2020. Given the shortage of lower-priced rental units in Charlotte, affected families, some of whom were given just 30 days notice, faced a daunting challenge in locating a new place to live within their budget.

Over a two-week period, representatives from the participating agencies and Mecklenburg County Homeless Support Services met with 72 households, representing 169 residents, to conduct tenant assessments. No financial assistance was distributed during the assessment phase and apartment management was not involved in the assessment process. 

Key findings of Project SAFE reveal many families have multiple barriers to finding and relocating to affordable, alternative housing in the area’s tight rental market. The initial estimate of financial need for the 72 families that completed an assessment is close to $350,000, which would cover:

  • Hotel expenses for 2-4 weeks for families that need to vacate in August and September
  • Relocation expenses for all families such as moving and storage of belongings, security deposit, additional month’s rent, utility transfer, and reconnection fees, etc.
  • Short-term rental subsidies for the lowest-income families

“With the help of this unprecedented partnership between six agencies, we now have a better understanding of the residents’ situations, the hurdles they face in securing alternative housing, and what is needed to make sure this displacement doesn’t lead to more homeless families,” said Carol Hardison, CEO of Crisis Assistance Ministry. “Now comes the hardest work.  It will take the community coming together to determine who, how, when, and with what money these families will receive help in finding and moving to safe, affordable housing.”

A coalition of community agencies continues to work together in support of Lake Arbor residents, but the expected need exceeds the current resources of those agencies. Additional funding is being sought to ensure these families remain stably housed and avoid the threat of homelessness.

Follow local media coverage for updates on this developing situation:

  • The Charlotte Observer: Moving residents from west Charlotte complex to cost at least $350,000, nonprofits say
  • WFAE: Displaced Lake Arbor Tenants Need $350K For Relocation, Agencies Say
  • WSOC-TV: Residents Forced To Move So Apartment Complex Can Make Improvements
  • Spectrum News: CLT Law Firm Gives Free Advice to Dozens ‘Facing Homelessness’
  • Charlotte Observer:  Ousted Charlotte Renters Don’t Know What Will Happen Next
  • WFAE: Lake Arbor Closing Sends A Flood Of Tenants Into A Tight Rental Market
  • WJZY FOX 46: Lake Arbor Apartments Forcing Tenants To Vacate

Filed Under: Advocacy, Agency News Tagged With: Charlotte Family Housing, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Community Link, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Housing, Lake Arbor, Mecklenburg County Homeless Support Services, Partnerships, Project SAFE, Salvation Army, Urban Ministry Center

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
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  • Main Office:
    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
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crisisassistmin

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Happy St Patrick's Day!  This big ole batch of 400+ granola bars will provide a little bit of sustenance to waiting families thanks to @MeckKidz from @meckchurch. Youth used "Meck Bucks" earned for participation in activities to purchase bars for the snack ministry here @CrisisAssistMin

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We loved hosting these visiting Bisons from @howard1867 as they lived out their motto of Excellence in Truth & Service here in #CLT. Thanks to them families will find essentials, free of charge, here in the @CrisisAssistMin Free Store

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Happy International Women's Day!
Today we take a look at how this year's theme of Embrace Equity affects the people (and mostly the women) served here at Crisis Assistance Ministry every day.

Observed worldwide on March 8 as a celebration of “the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women,” International Women’s Day is also a global call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

The theme for this year’s observance is “Embrace Equity.” Organizers at International Women’s Day (IWD) encourage everyone to “Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.” 

While great strides in gender equality have been achieved since women gained the right to vote in 1920, there is still much work ahead. Consider these indicators of the gender gap in the United States:
- Women full-time workers earn, on average, 82 cents for every dollar earned by men
- American women earn less than men in all industries, with the most significant pay gaps in management positions
- The construction industry has the smallest gender pay gap, but only 9% of construction workers are women
- Unpaid work like housekeeping and caring for children falls mainly to women 

Read More at the link in our bio

crisisassistmin

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The theme for Black History Month 2023 is “Resistance”, a single word that encompasses so much. Through the centuries, a long line of brave and committed Black Americans have battled injustice, some on the public stage and others behind the scenes. But for every high-profile or large-scale act of resistance, countless others go unnoticed. Every day at @CrisisAssistMin, we see brave and committed Black Charlotteans struggling to resist the forces of an unjust society right here in Mecklenburg County.
Read "Black History Month: Resisting the Status Quo" at the link in our profile.

crisisassistmin

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It was a beautiful weekend to share (more than) @onewarmcoat with our neighbors! Our friends from One Warm Coat finished up their working retreat by distributing brand new coats to families right here in our parking lot. So many smiles, a few tears of relief, and a lot of runway spins were shared.

crisisassistmin

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We 💙 💙 💙 it when community members create their own "Army" to celebrate birthdays and other milestones in each others' lives. Thanks to these #volunteers from "Eric's Army," shoppers this week found essentials like clothing, shoes, and household goods free of charge. Together, we #preservedignity for #CLT families who are struggling financially.

crisisassistmin

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We're excited to have @QCfamilytree share their expertise as our staff digs into the impact of systemic racism here in Mecklenburg County and its impact on the people served here. Thanks Greg, Helms, & Shamaiye for taking time to help us begin these important conversations.

crisisassistmin

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Saturday was hopping with these volunteers from an area Honor Society and @meckchurch making sure Free Store shoppers will find essentials free-of-charge this week! Thank you #volunteers for making it possible to serve our neighbors' basic needs.

crisisassistmin

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We are so #grateful for the team of dedicated #volunteers who volunteer their time & expertise on our Board of Directors. Today we welcome five newly elected members: Deborah Brewer, Yog Hari, Ed Holland, Deirdre John, and John Magnuson. (Learn about them through our linktree)

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