Warren County is one of 14 teams across the state to participate in an initiative to understand challenges communities and residents face when it comes to access to affordable housing.
The “Our State, Our Homes” project is the fifth and final project of the Carolina Across 100 Initiative through the University of North Carolina and NC Impact, according to information from Warren County.
Participating communities will emerge from the 18-month program with a data-driven understanding of housing issues in their local contexts, high-impact tools to facilitate community conversations around housing needs, detailed understanding of local partners and assets, and increased knowledge and capacity to implement innovative strategies for improving housing affordability, county leaders say.
In addition, teams will receive coaching, technical assistance with innovation projects and opportunities to build relationships with peer communities as well as national, state and campus-based housing experts across the state.
The county’s lead for the project is Rose Ponton, community development manager with Warren County Community and Economic Development.
“Affordable and workforce housing are critical to the future of Warren County,” Ponton said in a written statement. “By collaborating with UNC’s Carolina Across 100 Initiative and leveraging our local partnerships, we are taking proactive steps to address these challenges and build a stronger community.”
In 2024, the North Carolina Housing Coalition reports that 32 percent of Warren County households are considered cost-burdened by housing costs (2,248 households in the county). Warren County ranks 42nd in the state for numbers of housing evictions. The coalition reports that 24 percent of homeowners and 54 percent of renters had difficulty affording their homes in 2024.
“Warren County Community and Economic Development has launched a new focus on housing for the county organization in the last year,” stated Community and Economic Development Director Charla Duncan. “Selection for the Our State, Our Homes initiative is our second win in this recent focus, coming on the heels of being awarded a $950,000 CDBG grant for housing renovations.”
“These initiatives aren’t going to be magic wands for us and our housing challenges, but we are eager to start laying some important foundations for the future of our existing and future residents,” Duncan said.
Warren County is partnering with local organizations Working Landscapes and Warren Ministries United to drive this initiative forward. This core working group will attend several in-person forums over the next year and a half to strengthen efforts by integrating local expertise, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and implementing innovative housing strategies to provide accessible housing options, enhance quality of life, and support economic growth. All associated costs are covered by the initiative.
In addition to work done directly with the Carolina Across 100 staff and other working groups selected from across the state, Warren County will engage stakeholders from across the community to identify priorities, explore innovative solutions, and work to develop actionable strategies. Residents, community leaders, and organizations with a vested interest in affordable and workforce housing in the county are encouraged to get involved.
To learn more about the Our State, Our Homes project, visit https://carolinaacross100.unc.edu/program5/.
