Adams, Joined by State & Local Elected Officials, Announces Affordable Housing Legislation
Charlotte, N.C.—Today, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) announced the introduction of H. Con. Res. 75 Expressing the sense of the Congress that homelessness in America should be eliminated at Moore Place, an affordable housing community for chronically homeless adults in Mecklenburg County. This announcement was made with the support and cooperation of state and local elected leaders such as NC Senator Joyce Wadell, NC Representative Kelly Alexander, Mecklenburg County Commissioner Trevor Fuller, Charlotte City Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield and Charlotte Housing Authority Executive Vice President Shaunte Evans.
"Homelessness and a lack of affordable housing is an epidemic sweeping Mecklenburg County and our nation," said Congresswoman Adams. "In Mecklenburg County alone there are more than 2000 homeless families and an additional forty-six percent of renters who are cost burdened and risk losing their homes. It's long past time our government recognizes that our citizens deserve a better deal and prioritizes safe shelter for all. I'm proud to lead this effort in Congress and to partner with state and local stakeholders to address the affordable housing needs in our community and bring an end to homelessness once and for all."
"Urban Ministry Center never gives up on those who seem impossible to house," said Urban Ministry Center Executive Director Dale Mullennix. "The housing first strategy paired with permanent supportive housing, like Moore Place, allows those same individuals to thrive and makes good economic sense for our community. Our thanks to Rep. Alma Adams for using her influence to bring awareness to this important issue for Charlotte and our nation."
This resolution is cosponsored by Reps. John Conyers (MI-13), Al Lawson (FL-05), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Alcee Hastings (FL-03), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (DC-AT Large), Danny Davis (IL-07), Cedric Richmond (LA-02), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Ted Leiu (CA-33), Judy Chu (CA-27), Marcia Fudge (OH-11), James McGovern (MA-02), Adams Smith (WA-09), and Kathy Castor (FL-14).
In Congress, Representative Adams continues to support the National Housing Trust Fund which will create 122,000 new jobs in the construction trades and 30,000 new ongoing jobs in the operation of rental housing. Congresswoman Adams also signed onto a letter to appropriators requesting full funding for the Community Development Block Grant program and continues to request full funding for programs such as McKinney Vento to assist homeless shelters. Finally, Rep. Adams has requested robust funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 8 program to provide federal support for public housing units.
Background on Moore Place
In early 2012, CSS Homeless Services partnered with Moore Place to provide wraparound services to (at that time) 85 chronically homeless adults. Owned and operated by Urban Ministry Center, Moore Place is the first permanent supportive housing residential complex in Charlotte based on the "Housing First" philosophy. A team of Mecklenburg County Community Support Services employees, made up of licensed mental health clinicians and a clinical supervisor, collaborate with Urban Ministry Center staff. They provide supportive services, ensure individuals' successful adjustment to permanent supportive housing, and help individuals regain lives of wellness and stability.
The medically fragile population of chronically homeless individuals receives a full range of holistic services, from assisting disabled clients to clean their apartments, to diagnosing a mental health disorder and providing the interventions for treatment.
As part of the Housing First Charlotte-Mecklenburg initiative, Urban Ministry Center plans to add 150 new units of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless adults to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area in 2017 and into 2018.