DreamKey Partners

Why do we love our Queen City? ❤️👑 One of the reasons is that Charlotte's business community is made up of engaged partners who truly care and give back. Yesterday, members of our Dream Team attended Bank of America’s “Know & Grow Nonprofit Partner Summit.” In addition to learning how BOA supports nonprofits through sponsorships and volunteerism, we also took away some great ideas for future community building efforts. Thanks for having us!

Leading On Opportunity invited our Chief Strategy Officer, Erin Barbee, to speak on the panel at its Nonprofit and Grassroots Organization Mobility Roundtable last week to share her insights and expertise in affordable housing in Charlotte. She listened to other valuable perspectives on advancing economic mobility in our community and discussed strategies on how we can work together to drive change and ensure opportunities for everyone. From your point of view, have you seen or experienced a recent change in our community?

Good news for City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and CMS employees looking to purchase a home! The City of Charlotte is launching its latest round of House Charlotte financial assistance program – up to $80,000 to be precise. These limited-time 0% loans can be used for down payment, closing costs, and/or interest rate buy-down. Interested to see if you qualify and meet the 80% area median income (AMI) requirement? Learn more about the program here: https://lnkd.in/ebbViriq

Progress 👏 is 👏 possible! A recent study by Opportunity Insights shows Charlotte has risen from #50 to an impressive #38 in economic mobility nationwide since 2014. Leading on Opportunity was formed in response to the initial study, and continues to track and advocate for more progress in Charlotte. Our very own Chief Strategy Officer, Erin Barbee, was able to attend their recent panel event "Charlotte's Economic Mobility: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" and meet the study's author himself, Dr. Raj Chetty. It was a powerful opportunity to learn more about the progress made and future opportunities for economic change in our community. We feel encouraged and motivated to continue working towards ensuring affordable housing opportunities for all.

Today we are celebrating the First Annual Housing Counselor Day! Our HUD-certified housing counseling team is dedicated to empowering individuals and families to achieve their housing goals. Through personalized guidance, financial education, and advocacy, we have helped countless people become homeowners, avoid foreclosure, and improve their overall quality of life. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and make a positive difference. If you're interested in homeownership counseling, click the link below to register for the course. Call 704-377-4663 or email education@dkp.org for more information. https://lnkd.in/g3sb9AVN #letsmakehomethegoal #wemadehomethegoal #housingcounselorday2024

📢 Exciting News! Our 2023 Annual Report is live! Going the Extra Miles: Creating Home and Hope Across the Southeast" highlights our commitment to making a lasting impact on communities throughout the region. From expanding affordable housing to fostering strong, vibrant neighborhoods, we're proud of the strides we've made together in 2023. Dive into the report to see how we're continuing to do the work to ensure everyone has a place to call home. 🏠✨👉 https://bit.ly/3XYRKo0

Today, we are celebrating 35 years of making affordable housing possible. From a small Housing Task Force created in 1987, we are so proud of the work our team, partners, sponsors, and our community have accomplished over the years: ✅ 4,786 new homebuyers ✅ 36,456 people counseled ✅ 6,229 financial classes taught ✅ $30,264,404 in total down payment assistance Thank you to all who have supported our journey and helped us get this far. Cheers to 35 years and many, many, more!

What could you do with $100 million dollars? For the Charlotte City Council's Housing Trust Fund, the answer is "a lot." As Charlotte faces an affordability crisis, this funding (recently doubled from $50 million) could be used for rental housing production, down payment assistance for new homeowners, helping neighborhoods stay affordable, and so much more. We as proud residents of Charlotte have recognized the need for affordable housing solutions and have consistently voted for the Housing Trust Fund bonds. We encourage everyone to again vote for the bonds this November! Read more here:

With rent in Charlotte increasing by over 28% since 2020, many families are finding it harder to save, invest, or even cover daily expenses. That’s why we are committed to making affordable housing possible in our hometown for current residents and the 117 people that move to our city every day. Whether you’re looking for a rental or are ready for homeownership, let’s turn rising rents into opportunities for stability! Read more about the reality of rising rent costs here:

What's dreamier than dining on the lawn of the The Mint Museum? Dining with our neighbors and partners on the lawn of the Mint Museum! Congratulations to CrossRoads Corporation for Affordable Housing and Community Development, Inc., supporters, volunteers, and the Providence Foundation for raising $178,360 to support the Grier Heights community!