By Kerry Lamson, Candidate for Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners
A Statewide Challenge, A Local Response
Across North Carolina, a quiet but powerful movement is reshaping how communities think about homes. With prices rising, incomes struggling to keep pace, and workers commuting longer distances, affordable housing has gone from a policy issue to a kitchen-table concern.
Fortunately, from the mountains to the coast—and especially right here in Matthews—local leaders, nonprofit champions, and state agencies are coming together to make housing more attainable for everyone.
What Does “Affordable Housing” Really Mean?
At its core, housing is considered “affordable” if a household spends no more than 30% of their income on rent or a mortgage. That might sound reasonable—but for many in Matthews and beyond, it’s increasingly out of reach.
In Matthews alone, 24% of households are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than that 30% threshold. For low-income renters earning under $35,000 per year, that burden jumps to a staggering 99%.
North Carolina’s Statewide Approach
North Carolina has a toolbox full of programs tackling housing from every angle:
- Down Payment Assistance via the NC Home Advantage Suite, helping first-time buyers cross the threshold into homeownership.
- Rehab and Repair Programs for seniors, veterans, and low-income households to stay safely in their homes.
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) that incentivize developers to create affordable apartments and rental units.
- Partnerships with Nonprofits like DreamKey Partners and Habitat for Humanity.
Yet even with these supports, the need outpaces the supply—especially in fast-growing suburban towns like ours.
Zooming In: Matthews’ Housing Reality
Despite its charm and small-town appeal, Matthews has found itself at a housing crossroads. The numbers paint a complex picture:
- Only 3% of homes sold between 2021–2022 were affordable to households making less than 80% of the area’s median income.
- The median rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in 2022 was $1,646, requiring a $59,000 annual income just to afford it.
- 0% of recent homes sold were considered affordable for extremely low-income households.
Even the town’s essential workforce—teachers, firefighters, police officers—are often priced out of living in the very community they serve.
What Matthews Is Doing About It
Rather than ignoring the challenge, Matthews is planning ahead. Here are some of the key strategies underway:
Strategic Investments
- A $1.5 million commitment from the town’s budget to support housing initiatives.
- A $1 million federal grant (HUD) for affordable housing, secured in FY 2025.
- Exploring a Housing Trust Fund to support future housing projects or gap financing.
Partnerships with Purpose
- Ongoing collaboration with Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity, which builds affordable homes and provides home repairs to preserve aging housing stock.
- Critical Home Repair Program has already surpassed $1 million in repairs completed across its service area.
Long-Term Planning
Matthews is aligning housing with its broader vision for growth:
- The Envision Matthews Plan (2023) calls for “missing middle” housing (duplexes, triplexes, townhomes) that bridge the gap between apartments and single-family homes.
- A new Crestdale Neighborhood Plan will guide housing and development goals for one of Matthews’ most historic communities.
- Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) updates are in progress to translate plans into policy—making recommendations into requirements.
- Rezoning efforts and land-use updates to allow for increased density in appropriate areas.
- Evaluating parking minimums, lot setbacks, and other regulations that can slow down or drive up the cost of affordable development.
A Regional Problem, A Shared Responsibility
Matthews isn’t alone in this struggle—and it can’t solve the problem alone, either. That’s why the town is working alongside Mecklenburg County and its neighbors to:
- Coordinate on funding and housing policy
- Educate communities to overcome NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) resistance
- Ensure the housing conversation includes seniors, young families, and marginalized residents who often get left out
Where Do We Go From Here?
Attainable housing isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about values, choices, and priorities.
In the coming years, Matthews has the opportunity to:
- Expand affordable homeownership
- Offer safe, high-quality rental options
- Support aging residents and essential workers
- Create a more inclusive, connected community
As decisions are made—from zoning amendments to funding allocations—residents have a critical role to play: speaking up, staying informed, and supporting solutions that work for everyone.
Get Involved
If you’re a Matthews resident, neighbor, or policymaker, your voice matters. Here’s how to join the movement:
- Support nonprofits like Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity
- Attend town planning meetings and advocate for incentives for development zones
- Encourage leaders to keep affordable housing front and center
Because when we build housing that works for everyone, we build a community that works for everyone, too.