Monroe is one of 16 cities around the U.S. participating in the Good Jobs Great Cities Academy to advance efforts to upskill, train, and retrain our long term unemployed and underemployed for living wage jobs in precision manufacturing. This effort is critical to ensuring that our residents are trained and positioned to work for our many wonderful employers. More information on the initiative can be found here.
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Housing Updates
Affordable housing is defined as paying no more than 30% of your discretionary income for housing. The City of Monroe in partnership with the East Village, LLC. and Union-Anson County Habitat for Humanity in partnership are in the final stages of completing Phase I. This collaboration will result in two additional single family homes and the completed infrastructure. The City of Monroe provided funding to preserve East Village Phase II for workforce housing. We will continue to partnering with East Village, LLC in the development of Phase II, which we plan to develop 25 additional homeownership opportunities. The City has a long standing commitment to this project, which includes the original land donation. The East Village Subdivisions are located in a North Carolina Opportunity Zone.
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Union County Community Development Block Grant Program, is offering repair funds for Septic Systems thoroughout Union County. More information can be found at this link.
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Are you a homeowner and suffered financial losses or need urgent housing repairs? We may be able to assist with foreclosure assistance and/or housing repairs.
Please contact tcampo@monroenc.org for more information.
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City of Monroe Downpayment Assistance Program
In partnership with the Monroe Union County Community Development Corporation (MUCCDC), the city offers several programs regarding affordable housing: 1) Down payment assistance for homeownership. You must be income qualified, live in Monroe, or have employment in Monroe. 2) Housing of Urban Development Home and Credit Counseling Services 3) Fair Housing Counseling and Information. Contact Isabel Gillespie, Executive Director with the MUCCDC, or their offices for more information at (704) 283-8804.
Fair Housing is a right. Find out more information here: KnowYourRights Do you think you are a victim of predatory lending practices? Find out more information here: NC Predatory Lending Attorney General Please contact the Monroe Union County Community Development Corporation at (704) 283-8804 for more information on Fair Housing and Lending.
City of Monroe's Outside Agency Partnership
The City continues to partner with area non-profits to carry out needed services to the community. Agencies must meet a guidelines to be eligible and prove they provide a public benefit. Homeless services, hospice services, student school supplies/needs, food, shelter, preschoool and daycare, services for the aged, educational enrichment tutoring, and/or health related services/support are among the many services we support. Our ourside agency partnerships may be monetary, land/building leases, including the land donation for the new Union County Homeless Shelter.. We are closing out our year end and this years information will be updated. Please see the Outside Agency Partnership Information. We are also sharing the Community Development reporting documentation regarding FY23 leveraging and service delivery CD Performance Management Reporting FY23. In an effort to focus on building partnerships and collaborations, the City will not be opening the applicaton process to agencies that have not been historically funded, until further notice. If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Campo at tcampo@monroenc.org.
The North Carolina Housing Coalition publishes a listing of affordable rentals, if you are interested, NC Housing Search has information regarding available units.
Help prevent identify theft and know what is on your credit report. The federally-authorized site for consumers to obtain free credit reports from each of the three main reporting agencies is www.annualcreditreport.com can pace your requests, as you do not need to request all at one time.
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency provides qualified individuals with stable, fixed rate mortgages, and down payment assistance up to 5% of the loan. Also, $8,000 in down payment assistance option. NC Home Advantage Mortgage Your lender may already be a partner; check here: NCHFA Lender Partners
USDA Loans are available in Union County - unincorporated areas of Monroe, the Towns of Wingate, Marshville, Waxhaw are eligibile, explore the areas here. The benefits of a USDA loan include low interest rates and no down payment. Eligible individuals and families can make 80% of the area income, see the income information here. A family of four can make up to $79,750.00 and individual can make up to $55,850 to qualify. The City of Monroe partners with the Monroe Union County Community Development Corporation (MUCCDC) to guide all our citizens to homeownership. The MUCCDC can guide you through other programs, loan products, and explore downpayment assistance. Make an appointment now at 704-283-8804 and let them know the City of Monroe referred you. Keep us in the loop of your successes.
Bank of America has several down payment options for first time homeowners that includes closing costs. These programs may be available to partner with other lenders. Find out more information here: BOA Homebuyer Assistance Programs.
First Bank Mortgage initiative assists in gap funding for low to moderate income individuals with a 2% loan. Find out more information here: First Bank Contact the Union Anson County Habitat for Humanity to see how you may benefit at (704) 289-6069.
Fifth Third's Bank offers a Down Payment Assistance Program of up to $3,600.00. See information here: 5/3 DPA
Self Help Credit Union provides lending opportunities in the support of affordable housing. More information can be found here: SHCU Lending that Boosts Homeownership
Community Development Stakeholders AND Public Private Partnerships
Community Development continues to seek volunteers and partners for community projects. If your group, business, agency, church, or team is interested, we can meet to explore how we can work together to forward Monroe. Please contact Teresa Campo at (704) 282-4526 or email to discuss.
This section is reserved to thank our partners, who have been instrumental in the formation and continuation of projects throughout our city
. Members include a diverse group of non profits, community leaders, service providers, government leaders, and businesses volunteering their time and resources to build a sustainable community that is inclusive of all of our citizens. Community Development would not be possible without you, we appreciate you, Teresa.
South Piedmont Community College, Union Anson County Habitat for Humanity; Monroe Union County Community Development Corporation; Union County Board of Realtors Member (Mary Ross Real Estate); Union County NC Crisis Assistance Ministry; Union County Community Shelter; Winchester Neighborhood Association; Council on Aging in Union County; Union County Chamber of Commerce; Shepherd's Place Children's Home; Iglesia de Dios Nueva Viva; Shining Light Baptist Church; Benton Heights Presbyterian Church; Sutton Park Neighborhood Association; The ARC of Union County; NC Works Green Center, Monroe: Core HR Consulting; The Alliance for Children; Mount Calvary AMEZion Church; Paradise Height Community Members; Transforming Youth Movement; Waste Pro; Monroe Housing Authority; South Piedmont Community College; Union County Department of Human Services; UNCC Urban Institute; and a continuing partnership with various City, State, and County Government Departments.
Community Development Projects
Are you an employee for the City of Monroe's Police or Fire Department? We are looking to develop a three bedroom, two bath homeownership opportunity for you. We also have down payment assistance programs for all of our employees looking to live in Monroe. Contact tcampo@monroenc.org for more information.
The City's Landbank is continuing to seek land donations and/or purchases for furthering affordable housing and economic vitality developoment initiatives. Please contact Teresa Campo 704/282-4526 if you have comments, suggestions, or interest in participating.
Are you a nonprofit housing provider and/or developer? We may be able to assist with permit and other related utility fees. Contact Teresa Campo at 704/282-4526.
Concord Avenue Master Plan
Concord Avenue Overlay District Beautification Project Donated by Gus and Liz Mihelakis. The parcel from Patton Avenue/Concord Avenue/Secrest Shortcut Road is the target area. We are looking forward to developing the greenspace in the Concord Avenue Overlay. The topography survey is complete and we are prepared to begin the process road closure for greenspace improvements. We hope that you are enjoying the walking spaces of the sidewalk installation made possible through a City of Monroe and Union County partnership with some funding provided through the Community Development Block Grants. We appreciate your positive comments and please continue to enjoy the walking spaces. The next step is a feasibility study and Patton Road closure. For more information regarding future enhancements, a link to the Concord Avenue Area Master Plan can be found here.
Partner News
NC Works Career Center located at 1125 Skyway Drive, Monroe, NC, (704-283-7541 or register online here, it is a valuable resource for jobs, job training, job fairs, financial assistance, overcoming barriers, networking possibilities, scholarships. It is free to register and receive services. Also, if you are a student at community college and are have financial barriers in finishing your education, contact your financial aid office regarding the $1000 grant made available for students to use (grants are payable to the vendor, not student) and can be used for transportation repairs, daycare, rent, utlities, equipment, and other eligible expenses. South Piedmont Community College is looking for volunteers to start providing literacy services to adult learners contact Kristi Phifer at kphifer@spcc.edu. Did you know that the inability to read prevents people from accessing critical needs including medical care, as the application can be a barrier?
The City partners with the Union County Arts Council in providing inkind rent, utilities and direct partnership facilitation and services with various Departments. The collobaration include artistic contracts, supplies, rental, administration, and marketing for the following events: Parks and Recreation Department, Music on Main Concert, July 4th Celebration, and Juneteenth Celebration; Communications and Tourism Department, Artist Workshops.
The Union County Historical Preservation Commission is a long standing advisory board formed by a joint ordinance with Union County. The UCHPC serves as caretaker and archive preservation of historical documents and other resources as well as compliance with the State and Federal Historic Preservation Commissions, Boards, etc. Protecting our historical resources is critical to the promotion of revitalization, preservation, housing, and community place.
Census 2020 Finalized
According to the published 2020 published census, Monroe population count based on the April 2020 Census is 34,562. Union County experienced a rapid population growth at 14.47%. More information regarding the population count can be found here: City of Monroe 2020 Census Count The State Profile for Population and Housing The 2020 Census is in the appeal stage and we do not anticipate a change in the cities count..
We value our community partners! Special thanks to those who give back to our community to help others. Please thank these businesses with your patronage and your appreciation:
