The City Council Committee meeting held on October 6, 2025, focused on critical discussions surrounding the Housing Trust Fund recommendations. The meeting began with procedural clarifications regarding the agenda, which included a report on the Housing Trust Fund followed by a committee report.

Councilmember Driggs initiated the discussion on the Housing Trust Fund, leading to a motion for the recusal of Councilmember Wallach due to a potential conflict of interest. The motion was unanimously approved, allowing the meeting to proceed with the housing discussions.

Rebecca Heffner, the Director of Housing and Neighborhood Services, presented staff recommendations for affordable housing development proposals received in response to the latest Housing Trust Fund request for proposals. This funding cycle follows the expansion of the housing bond and the adoption of the affordable housing funding policy by the City Council. Heffner noted that eight proposals were submitted, totaling nearly $20 million in investment requests, covering multifamily rental development, homeownership, and supportive housing.

The proposals were evaluated based on alignment with the City Council's investment priorities, which emphasize economic mobility, neighborhood affordability, and residential stability. Heffner highlighted that the recommended investments would be presented for consideration at the upcoming Council meeting scheduled for October 27.

Among the proposals discussed, the first was Kendall Crossing, a senior affordable housing development seeking just under $5 million in funding. This project aims to serve vulnerable seniors, with a partnership established for resident services. The second proposal, River District Apartments, requested an additional $900,000 to address a funding gap, while the Weddington Road Apartments proposal sought nearly $4 million for development in an area with limited affordable housing options.

The meeting also covered three homeownership proposals, including Abilene at Newell Townhomes, which requested additional funds to maintain its original unit count amid rising costs. The Ellington Townhomes and Unity Oaks proposals were introduced as new developments aimed at providing affordable homeownership opportunities in high-need areas.

Lastly, two proposals for supportive housing were presented: the Dream Center campus, which aims to provide transitional housing, and a hotel conversion project by Mecklenburg County intended for non-congregate shelter. Both proposals are designed to address urgent housing needs in the community.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the upcoming vote on the proposals scheduled for October 27, emphasizing the importance of timely decisions to support affordable housing initiatives in Charlotte.