Cape Fear Housing Coalition works to bring affordable housing to area

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Do you spend more than 30% of your income on your housing? If you do, you are considered cost burdened. According data presented by the Cape Fear Housing Coalition, in 2012 that was the case for 38.6% of homeowners and 54.2% renters in the Wilmington area.

“We’ve got a great community. I think that it’s important that it is a great community for everyone. We have variety of income levels in Wilmington,” said Paul D’Angelo, Chair of the Cape Fear Housing Coalition. “Unfortunately there isn’t a lot of housing at a variety of income levels that they could actually afford. If people are spending more money on housing, there’s a lot less money they have for disposable income they have to help chug along the local economy. ”

The Cape Fear Housing Coalition works to provide access to affordable housing. Thursday morning the coalition hosted a public event to talk about this issue and Housing Trust Funds.

D’Angelo said the main way affordable housing units are built throughout the state are through tax credit awards. When the state does give a tax credit award there is certain criteria the housing unit has to meet.

“They want the development to be close to a grocery store. They love when they are close to transit stations. That way these folks, the lower income folks, will have access to things that are walk-able or nearby, ” said D’Angelo. “They also look at other things like, is it close to an employment center?”