NEWS

First Parkside Commons Townhomes Sold

DCF Increases Commitment to Critical Home Repairs

DAVIDSON, NC —Davidson residents are living in safer homes, as well as new homes they can afford, thanks to support from the Davidson Community Foundation and its generous donors.

This fall, the first two of eight permanently-affordable townhomes in the new Parkside Commons on Jetton Street were sold to income-qualified households. The remaining six will be sold in 2025 and 2026 as they are completed by developer Taylor Morrison.

“It’s exciting to have the first two occupants move in and begin a new chapter in their lives,” said Chris Ahearn, the foundation’s board chair. “Affordable housing is a critical need in our town, and we are thrilled to be able to help make quality homes affordable for six more households in the future.”

Starting in 2021, in partnership with the Town of Davidson and in response to the need for more affordable housing in the area, Davidson Community Foundation led community efforts to establish those eight units as affordable for a period of 90 years. The foundation raised $400,000 toward the project.

“The Town of Davidson is thankful to our community partners in their steadfast commitment to creating and increasing the supply of affordable housing in the Town,” said Alexander Cahill, Affordable Housing and Equity Director. “The funding from the Davidson Community Foundation will be transformative in the affordable housing space, and a model for other entities and jurisdictions as to what can be done when leaders work together.”

In addition, Davidson Community Foundation is working to help current homeowners in West Davidson remain in homes that are safe and secure. The foundation initially committed to fund up to 10 essential home improvement projects in town, slowing displacement from gentrification. Today, the foundation announced plans to add five more homes to its commitment. The foundation is partnering with the Town of Davidson, Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, and Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte to complete repairs to 13 homes, with an additional three homes funded by the foundation and  Habitat Charlotte Region. Leaders expect to complete 10 projects by the end of 2024 and six in 2025.

“We have raised $86,000 so far, thanks to our generous contributors, but we need more donors to reach our $175,000 goal,” Ahearn said. “That’s a lofty aim, but we know that people in Davidson are willing to reach deep to help their neighbors in need.”

Contributions to Davidson Community Foundation can be made online or by sending a check to Foundation For The Carolinas, 220 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC  28202, with “Davidson Community Foundation” written on the memo line.

Davidson Community Foundation was established in 2020 to bolster nonprofits serving the community. By working with local leaders and donors, its goal is to build and distribute funding to address Davidson’s most pressing needs. This citizen-driven initiative is designed to expand local philanthropy and direct it to where it’s most needed.

Launched at the beginning of COVID, the foundation immediately raised nearly $500,000 and distributed $350,000 in grants to nonprofit partners for emergency relief. Since then, Davidson Community Foundation has raised more than $1.2 million to assist with transformational community projects.

The Parkside Commons units are available to purchase by households earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Opportunities for purchasing these affordable homes are open to the public, but all potential residents must meet AMI level qualification standards to be eligible.

For information about these projects and more, visit davidsoncommunityfoundation.org.