Return to CDC in the News
February 2007
14
23 Honored for Enabling Affordable Housing
It takes a village to raise a child and a community to revitalize a neighborhood. That's what Salisbury Community Development (CDC) Executive Director Chanaka Yatawara discovered. His list of community partners — those individuals and organizations that helped finance, design, build and promote homes for first-time homeowners — was village-size. Those on Yatawara's list were honored at a CDC-sponsored reception in December.
First to receive a partner award was the city of Salisbury, the governmental unit that created the non-profit CDC. Yatawara thanked the City Council and all city departments for their support over the past eight years. Mayor Susan Kluttz was one of 10 city officials at the ceremony. She recognized the larger village that helped first-time homeowners. "We have such an unusual city," she said, "because people care."
The largest group of CDC partners was associated with the financial side of homeownership. Among them were the Robertson Family Foundation and The Foundation for the Carolinas. These grant makers supported CDC programs on foreclosure prevention, neighborhood revitalization as well as day-to-day operations. Three banks — F&M, First Bank and Citizens South — provided mortgage financing for CDC selected homebuyers at below-market interest rates. The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) helped with down payment assistance for homebuyers. NCHFA helped homeowners in another way: they provided no interest loans so laid-off workers could pay their mortgages while searching for new jobs. Also cited were Scot Robinson, an appraiser who valued CDC's new homes for a discounted fee, and Self Help Credit Union for mortgage financing.
Yatawara gave special recognition to Rowan County United Way Executive Director Bob Lippard. Following the 2004 Pillowtex layoff, it was Lippard who asked Yatawara, "How can we help?" The United Way provided emergency funds to make mortgage payments for laid-off workers, payments that encouraged many lenders to drop their late charges.
First-time homeowners learned about their benefits and obligations by attending CDC's popular pre-homeownership course. Faculty included landscape instructor Darrell Blackwelder, with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, and insurance agent Greg Edds. Gary Sloan of Cloninger Ford Toyota explained the details of financing a new vehicle. Fred Adkins of Adkins Home Inspections outlined and resolved common home maintenance issues. Charles Putnam with Rowan Cabarrus Community College was honored for his years of planning, teaching and organizing the pre-homeownership course.
New homes have to be designed, sited and built. Local architects Karen Alexander and Bill Burgin stepped up and volunteered to design comfortable, efficient and affordable modern homes for CDC clients. They provided their services at no cost. Brent Snipes of Snipes Realty helped CDC locate property on which to place the Alexander and Burgin designs. Jimmy Butler, of Butler Builders of NC Inc., not only constructed the homes, but serviced them after the sale.
Some individuals and organizations helped CDC directly. Larry Chilton facilitated CDC's annual planning retreat for board and staff. Pete Prunkl edited the CDC's newsletter. Jack and Jackie Burke volunteered their financial expertise and provided credit counseling to laid-off workers on the brink of losing their homes to foreclosure. And Rockwell Farms donated dozens of decorative poinsettias for the awards presentation.
Also attending were members of the CDC Board of Directors: President David McCoy, Vice President Mae Carroll, Secretary Karen Alexander, Treasurer Burt Brinson, the Rev. Nilous Avery, Nora Faucette, Steve Fisher, Shirley Johnson, Mayor Susan Kluttz, A. L. Mitchel, and David Treme. More than one partner spoke of the durability of the board. Board President David McCoy explained: "People are involved in the board because it is an honor to serve, not for the honor." Yatawara presented board members with plaques recognizing their long service to the CDC.
Many homeowners attended and they, too, received gifts. Perhaps one of the most lasting impressions was seeing how many people it required to plan, finance, design and build their new and affordable homes.
For more information contact Chanaka Yatawara, 704-638-4474.
Return to Top
