NEWS

Grant to Town of Davidson Will Assist West Davidson Residents Impacted by Mecklenburg County Revaluation

Davidson residents most severely impacted by Mecklenburg County’s new tax assessments may find relief thanks to a grant from the Davidson Community Foundation to the Town of Davidson. The foundation announced it will provide a one-time grant of $22,000 to the town to provide assistance to as many as 100 residents who qualify for Davidson’s relief program. Town Manager Jamie Justice announced the grant at Tuesday’s town board meeting.

“Mecklenburg County’s revaluation disproportionately affects some residents of West Davidson, some of whom have seen their property values rise as much as 100 percent,” said Mayor Rusty Knox. “While the county has increased its abatement fund, there was no relief for the town portion of the property tax. We appreciate the Davidson Community Foundation’s support in filling this critical gap as we provide aid to residents in vulnerable demographics with immediate tax needs and help them find other solutions in the future. The Town is grateful for the Foundation’s generosity in assisting us in reaching our strategic goals for anti-displacement, affordable living, and preservation of affordable housing.”

The foundation’s board voted unanimously to approve the one-time grant to assist with the town’s portion of the property tax assessment. Mecklenburg County has additional relief programs to assist low-income property owners who qualify for assistance. The Davidson Community Foundation grant will be administered by the town.

“The new tax assessments were shocking to many residents, particularly in historic West Davidson,” said Dave Cable, chair of the foundation’s board. “After this emergency assistance gives our neighbors time to adjust to the higher tax bills, we plan to support education about tax relief resources and other nonprofit programs.”

Since its inception in 2020, the Davidson Community Foundation has provided emergency grants through local nonprofit organizations, first to assist with COVID relief and now to assist with property tax support. The citizen-driven foundation’s goal is to build and distribute funding to address Davidson’s most pressing needs, including affordable housing.

The foundation has also led community efforts to establish eight permanently affordable housing units in the Parkside Commons (formerly Hoke Development) on Jetton Street, has supported the planned purchase of the units by Davidson Housing Coalition and is working with the Town of Davidson and Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region on critical home repairs to help residents, many of whom are elderly or disabled, remain in their homes and slow displacement from gentrification.

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About The Davidson Community Foundation:

The Davidson Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance the lives of Davidson’s residents, now and for generations to come. For more information, visit davidsoncommunityfoundation.org. Or contact: Jeri Krentz ([email protected] or 704-770-1627)