Posted: January 5th, 2012 Tonya Jameson

The troubling memories hung in the Wells Fargo Auditorium like a bad dream. The hurtful words. The racist undertones. The stereotypes. The generalizations. The not-in-my-backyard righteousness that stifles any discussion of giving the working poor a hand-up rather than a hand-out.

On Tuesday, Jan. 3, more than 300 people came out to hear a more articulate and humane take on affordable housing and homelessness. The attendees had an opportunity to watch the documentary “Souls Of Our Neighbors: Fears, Facts and Affordable Housing.” (Click here for more info.) The documentary humanized the hot button issue that dominated headlines in 2010 when developers proposed an affordable housing complex in the Ballantyne area. 

In those ugly discussions, many residents near the proposed housing site decried the project citing every stereotype imaginable about the people who live in affordable housing homes. “Souls of Our Neighbors” features a combination of man-on-the-street interviews as well as profiles of six families living in affordable homes.

“I see no reason why this city can’t solve homelessness,” said Mayor Anthony Foxx during the presentation. Foxx also issued a proclamation proclaiming 2012 as “The Year of Our Neighbors.”

Crossroads Charlotte, Mecklenburg Ministries and Temple Beth El spearheaded Souls of Neighbors with support from the City of Charlotte and other community organizations.

Crossroads Charlotte and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Coalition for Housing will use the documentary as a tool to create community dialogue around affordable housing and homelessness. The coalition is working on the Ten-Year Implementation Plan to End and Prevent Homelessness. The plan provides strategies and actions focused on getting homeless families and individuals into appropriate and safe housing as soon as possible. 

During Tuesday’s presentation, attendees heard from a range of community leaders determined to end homelessness. A central theme for the gathering was that the battle to end homelessness and educate the public about the benefits of affordable housing requires collaboration.

The faith, philanthropic and business community must all work together to address the problem, speakers said. Most of the speakers also emphasized the importance of dispelling the myths surrounding affordable housing. The video and speakers emphasized that affordable housing hasn’t had any measurable affect on property values, and affordable housing recipients undergo background screenings as well.

Mike Rizer, Crossroads steering committee member, said it cost the community three to four times more to deal with someone who is homeless compared to providing that person with affordable housing. 

“This is solvable,” Rizer said. “We can do it.”

If the collaboration that created “Souls of Our Neighbors” and Tuesday’s turnout is any indication than we have the right attitude now we must take action.

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