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Caldwell Presbyterian converts classroom into 21 affordable apartments in Charlotte
Summary
Caldwell Presbyterian Church repurposed an empty classroom building into "Easter's Home," creating 21 small apartments for people who previously lacked permanent housing, supported by $600,000 from the City of Charlotte's housing trust fund and private donations toward a $6,000,000 project.
Easter's Home, a project by Caldwell Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, has transformed an empty classroom building into 21 affordable apartments intended for people who previously lacked stable housing. Presenter (S2) said the city of Charlotte provided $600,000 from the city's housing trust fund and that donations from groups across Charlotte contributed toward the project's $6,000,000 total.
A resident described immediate benefits after moving in. "The rooms are like a safe. It's just so, soundproof," Resident (S1) said, later noting accessibility features such as being on the first floor and access to an elevator. The same resident described health vulnerabilities, saying they have a pacemaker-defibrillator and were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a little more than a year ago.
Presenter (S2) framed the project as the culmination of a decade-old idea by the church to repurpose existing space: "The church took an empty classroom building and transformed it into affordable housing." Presenter (S4) urged other congregations to consider similar conversions, saying many churches "can find new life" if they "lean into this possibility."
The units are modest in size; Presenter (S2) said there are 21 apartments of about 400 square feet each. Residents expressed surprise and gratitude at the outreach: "It's hard to believe that there's actually people that just care about strangers that they don't even know," Resident (S3) said.
The project was described as faith-driven and community-supported. Presenter (S2) said the work demonstrates that "solutions don't always have to be massive to be meaningful" and noted the city's financial participation alongside private donations. The transcript did not specify operating rules, tenant selection criteria, ongoing service supports, or future funding commitments.
No formal votes or government actions were recorded in the transcript. The account focused on residents' experiences, the church's conversion of space, and the funding sources that helped complete the development.
