Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Western Piedmont COG presents Caldwell County housing plan; report highlights falling inventory, price jumps and target demographics
Summary
Western Piedmont Council of Governments presented a housing needs plan to the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners on March 10, noting a 28% jump in median sale price (from $235,000 to $301,000), 2.5 months of housing inventory, and population growth among ages 18–34 and 45–65.
The Caldwell County Board of Commissioners on March 10 heard a presentation of a housing needs plan prepared by the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (COG) in partnership with Caldwell County Economic Development and the city of Lenoir.
Allison Adams, planning director at Western Piedmont COG, summarized the 16–18 page tool intended for planners and developers. Adams said higher interest rates and higher product costs, combined with limited financing options, have left demand outpacing supply in Caldwell County. Adams reported that between January 2024 and January 2025 the county’s average sale price rose 19 percent and the median sale price rose 28 percent, from $235,000 to $301,000. She said housing inventory stands at about 2.5 months — below a typical healthy market level of four to six months.
Adams said demographic shifts include growth among people ages 18–34 and 45–65 and that in‑county moves, inter‑county moves within North Carolina and in‑migration from states such as Florida and Pennsylvania are contributing to demand. The plan includes 24 site cut sheets for parcels with zoning and infrastructure notes and a housing-preference survey showing local demand for single‑family homes with yards, ranch styles with porches, and low‑maintenance condos and townhomes with off‑street parking.
Adams and Ashley Bolek of Caldwell County Economic Development said the plan is intended as a toolbox for attracting developers and aligning infrastructure investment with market demand. Recommendations discussed include leveraging local builders with financing options, expanding broadband, pursuing brownfield reuse, and exploring revolving loan pools and short‑term workforce housing partnerships.
Commissioners and county staff discussed using the plan to support recruitment of workers for local employers and to promote available sites; no formal vote to adopt the plan was recorded at the meeting. Adams offered to provide additional follow-up and data to county staff.
Ending: County staff and economic development officials described the plan as a practical marketing and development tool; commissioners encouraged follow-up with developers and partners.
