The City of Sanford has been selected by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to participate in the “Our State, Our Homes” program, an 18-month initiative to improve access to and availability of affordable housing.
The initiative is part of UNC’s Carolina Across 100 project, which aims to “enhance the quality of life for all people in the State” through meaningful partnerships to help communities respond effectively to opportunities and challenges.
The “Our State, Our Homes” program will connect the S3 Housing Connect Taskforce and City of Sanford and Lee County staff with UNC’s faculty, staff, and students from various disciplines to examine affordable housing and develop a plan of action that suits our community’s needs and resources.
“This program is provided at no cost to participants,” explains Tradell Adkins, planner for the City of Sanford and liaison to S3. “The only commitment required is our time and effort to determine best practices and identify strategies to address affordable housing needs in Sanford,” he says.
Sanford/Lee County was among 14 community teams chosen to participate. The teams – made up of business, civic, education, nonprofit, faith-based and government entities – represent 22 North Carolina counties, each with their own unique challenges. Sanford and Lee County represent Team 9: “The Heart of the Carolinas,” a name that reflects our “well-centered” location in the state and the collaboration between the City of Sanford, Lee County, and local nonprofits.
“This program avoids a one-size-fits-all approach,” Adkins points out. “We will have access to real-time local housing data to tailor solutions specific to Sanford and Lee County.”
Along with the City of Sanford and Lee County staff, Sanford’s team includes Lee County Re-Entry Services, Trillium Health Resources, and Brick Capital Community Development Corporation. The cohort will participate directly in the CX100 forums and sessions, and then share their training with local organizations to drive implementation.
Find more information about the “Our State, Our Homes” initiative here.