• Three new craftsman-style homes built, more to come
  • First new construction the neighborhood has seen in decades
  • Opening celebration held Oct. 27 at 10 a.m.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 26, 2015 – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership (DreamKey Partners) is celebrating the opening of its newest properties, three single-family homes on Norris Ave., in the historic Druid Hills neighborhood. The area’s revitalization has been an ongoing effort since the 1990s with DreamKey Partners acquiring vacant lots and rehabilitating parcel by parcel, but this marks the first new construction in Druid Hills in decades.

“Building new homes is one avenue for improving neighborhoods and attracting private investment such as retail,” said Julie Porter, president of DreamKey Partners. “The neighborhood has a history of active, engaged residents, is close to Uptown and is still affordable. Combining that energy with new homeownership opportunities and programs is helping to create a stable neighborhood, poised for additional growth and investment.”

Located just two miles northwest of Uptown Charlotte, the neighborhood was built in the 1940s for returning military and their families. It was rooted in manufacturing industry with the first Ford Model T assembly plant outside of Michigan located on the southern edge of the neighborhood, on Woodward Ave. As the years went on and factories shut down, the once well-maintained bungalow homes suffered and were converted to rental properties. Today, the annual median household income in Druid Hills is $17,000, a fraction of Mecklenburg County’s average of $55,000.

As part of its Statesville Avenue Corridor Plan, DreamKey Partners has focused much of its efforts in the area including the successful revitalization of the adjacent Double Oaks neighborhood – which was plagued with the same fate as Druid Hills – into the now vibrant and thriving Brightwalk community.

The new homes at 1501, 1505 and 1509 Norris Ave. feature three bedrooms, minimum of two full baths, hardwood floors and granite countertops – everything one would expect from any new craftsman-style home. Built by JCB Urban, the new homes start at $130,000. All homebuyers must meet Household Income Requirements (family of four maximum allowable household income is $53,700) and may qualified for up to $20,000 offered in down payment assistance.

The grand opening celebration will be held Tuesday, October 27, at 10 a.m. Various staff/board representatives, housing advocates and community leaders will play a role in the dedication program including Julie Porter, president of DreamKey Partners, The Honorable Al Austin, city council district 2 representative, and Pastor Clifford Matthews with St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church.

ABOUT DreamKey Partners

DreamKey Partners is a broad-based, private, nonprofit housing development and financial corporation organized in 1988 to expand affordable and well-maintained housing and promote stable neighborhoods for low- and moderate-income families in the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The agency provides assistance to residents of its properties to more fully enter the economic mainstream and achieve independence. For more information, please visit CMHP.org.

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