The Community Development Division is committed to making the City of Concord and its neighborhoods better places to live, work, and play. Through the efforts of this Division, the City strives to provide safe, decent, affordable housing, a suitable living environment and economic opportunities, specifically for low- and moderate-income individuals and communities. The City has several programs in place to accomplish this goal. These programs are federally funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Act Programs.
Clearwater Arts Center & Studios
CDBG funds are being used to create a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization with the Gibson Village community.
The first phase of renovations to Clearwater Arts Center & Studios, the city’s former electric operations center, is complete. Artists are currently leasing nine studios from which they work to create, teach, and sell art. A 2,200 square foot gallery enables the artists to hold exhibitions of their work.
Site improvements have been completed. The next phase of the improvements will include further renovation of interior space within the site. Once fully renovated, Clearwater Arts Center & Studios will contain over 30 studios, a gallery, a community market space, and a café. The adjacent Village Greenway and open space will offer opportunities for outdoor concerts and events.
For more information, visit clearwaterartists.com.
News/Events
News
>> Alabama Housing Providers Accused of Age, Disability, and Familial Status Discrimination Agree to Pay $20,000 to Resolve HUD Complaint
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it signed a Conciliation Agreement/Voluntary Compliance Agreement to resolve allegations and a HUD investigation into whether the owners’ policy prohibiting visitors under the age of 12 due to COVID-19 was discriminatory. Learn More.
>> HUD’s Two-Week Review-Secretary Fudge Travels to Chicago to Promote Build Back Better Agenda
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman participated in events throughout the past two weeks to amplify the Biden-Harris Administration’s Build Back Better agenda and its investments in revitalization. Combined, they visited six (6) cities, which included Charlotte, North Carolina. Learn More.
>> HUD Releases Agency Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan
As part of President Biden’s whole-of-government approach to confronting the climate crisis, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its climate adaptation and resilience plan to ensure its facilities and operations adapt and are increasingly resilient to climate change impacts. Learn More.
>> Biden-Harris Administration Launches House America Initiative to Address Homelessness Crisis
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, who serves as chair of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) joined the Biden-Harris Administration officials, Cabinet members, and elected officials to launch House America. An all-hands-on-deck effort to address the nation’s homelessness crisis. Learn More.
>> HUD National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Information Starting October 24, 2021 – October 30, 2021.
Each year, HUD, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborate with states, tribal governments, local governments, families, individuals, community-based organizations and other stakeholders to generate converstations around the topic of lead exposure and evaluation control to ensure better health, safety and housing for children under 18 and the elderly. Learn More.
Events
>> October 21, 2021
The City of Concord’s Housing Department and the Planning & Neighborhood Development Department is partnering with the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings to provide a virtual Workshop for Landlords and Property Managers on Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will feature a presentation from Mr. Gene Troy, the Program Manager for the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Please join us to learn more about landlords and tenants’ rights and responsibilities and the federal and state laws that govern these rights. To register, please visit https://forms.gle/Zo5gahf5qiaymdX78 or call (704) 920-5137.
>> October 28, 2021
Please join us for our next virtual Home Sweet Home collaborative Fair Housing event on Thursday, October 28, 2021. The City of Kannapolis, Cabarrus County, and the City of Concord partner twice a year to ensure that local citizens are made aware of important and relevant Fair Housing information and topics. This event will feature a dynamic panel of representatives from Legal Aid of NC, Inc., Prosperity Unlimited, Inc. and the Cabarrus County NAACP. Participants also will engage in an open question and answer segment during the event. To register or for questions about this event, please visit https://forms.gle/kNgYYjY9jExvqv3d6 or call (704) 920-5137.