Grants Now Available For Struggling Mecklenburg Homeowners

MECKLENBURG, NC — Low and moderate income homeowners in Mecklenburg County in need of financial help after their property taxes increased during last year countywide property revelation have a new source of help available, county officials said Thursday.

The grant program, called Helping Out Mecklenburg's Homeowners With Economic Support (HOMES), is a public assistance program to help qualified homeowners keep their homes.

"The assistance comes after the 2019 countywide revaluation significantly raised many homeowners' property tax bills, especially those in older, established neighborhoods near Uptown Charlotte," county officials said in a statement. "While there are many benefits to a robust real estate market, one downside is that affordable housing becomes scarce and the rising costs to retain residences can outpace income growth. This grant program is designed to assist qualified residential homeowners to retain their homes by reducing the financial burden resulting from rising values."

The program will be implemented by the County Assessor's Office, the Office of the Tax Collector and the Department of Social Services.

Requirements of homeowners seeking a grant include:

• Living in Mecklenburg County
• Owning a residential property or living in a property with a qualifying life estate
• A history of living in this primary residence for at least three years
• And a total household income that does not exceed 50 percent of the Area Median Income set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The household income for a family of four, for example, is limited to $41,750.

Applications for the program must be received by Monday, Oct. 19.

More information about applying for the grant program may be found here. Also, applicants may request a paper application by calling 980-314-4226.

Earlier this week, county officials announced that small businesses negatively affected by COVID-19 may now apply for relief grants of up to $25,000. Applications are open to businesses within the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville, along with unincorporated areas of the county.

Funding for the grants comes from $1.25 million Mecklenburg County received through the CARES Act to help financially support small businesses during the pandemic. Grant money may be used for expenses like lease payments, payroll shortages and financing payments, but may not be used to pay off expenses unrelated to the pandemic.

SEE ALSO:

• Small Business Relief Grants In Mecklenburg County: How To Apply
• CMS School Board Votes To Return Students To Classes In Phases