Rising costs are causing some people to get behind on rent. That’s why, Community Link is helping families facing eviction get caught up on payments.
However, the group is concerned about how the rent spikes are impacting the support they can offer.
Tameka Gunn is the President and CEO of Community Link.
“What we’re seeing is a lot of the customers that we’re serving are utilizing services because their rents are going up,” said Gunn. “And they’re going up more than $200 for some places in the Charlotte metro area. We’re seeing it even outside of Charlotte, where we also serve Cabarrus County as well, where those rents are just increasing.”
Since July 2022, Community Link has spent $85,000 dollars to help people facing eviction through its prevention program. They cover rental backpay and rent going forward to help families stay in their homes.
Gunn said rent increases are pushing some families out of the eligibility bracket.
“Their household income can’t be more than 30% of the area median income for their household size,” explained Gunn. ” And their rent can’t be more than the fair market that HUD has provided.”
For example, in the 28278 zip code in southwest Charlotte, the fair market rate set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,500, and $1,690 for a two-bedroom. To get assistance, rent can’t be higher than this.
Gunn said they are negotiating with more landlords to help keep rates low for the families they support.
“Whether it’s maybe them doing an amendment to their lease, or some type of lease renewal to help them stay in their rent at the fair market that HUD has posted,” she explained.
She adds housing stability is important for all families to thrive.
“If they’re not having to deal with $100, $200, $300 rent increases every year, then families could be stable in the housing that they’re in for longer periods of time, giving them an opportunity to increase their income if they can,” said Gunn. “The children are being impacted as well. Because if they have to move every year, they may be in different schools every year, and it makes it harder for them, and the family as a whole.”
Gunn encourages people to reach out if they are having a tough time covering their rent so Community Link can help connect them with the resources they need.
