CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte City Council members now have city staff members’ recommendations for improving the city’s affordable housing supply and ensuring good conditions in those homes.
Code enforcement managers presented their findings to a council committee Monday afternoon.
The council started looking at where Charlotte could do better after tenants were forced out of the Lamplighter Inn off Freedom Drive in December. The former motel had become permanent housing for dozens and had fallen into total disrepair.
Recommendations presented Monday include:
- Providing guidance on when and how to report poor housing conditions to Code Enforcement
- Offering additional subsidies for people when they need to be relocated
- Finding out what tenants need for housing and work before they are moved into a new location
“We have a lot of opportunities to address issues more proactively and more holistically in addition to strong code enforcement,” said Rebecca Hefner, director of Housing and Neighborhood Services.
Committee members, like LaWana Mayfield, also want to make sure landlords pay their fair share when repairs are needed or tenants are displaced because of poor conditions.
“This isn’t a Republican or Democrat conversation. This is a tax dollars conversation, and we need to figure out a way to be compensated by this bad business,” she said.
Recommendations presented Monday will now be brought to the full council who will have to decide and vote on what changes to make.
