CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Habitat for Humanity — an organization near and dear to former President Jimmy Carter — is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Charlotte this year.

In 1984, Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, started the Carter Work Project, a partnership with Habitat for Humanity for an annual global building blitz.

This year’s project is happening in the Queen City, just feet away from Lapri Holmes’ soon-to-be-home.

The first-time homeowner says rising rent in the Charlotte metro left her and her teen daughter stuck between a rock and a hard place.

“I only have a one-bedroom for me and Bailey, and I’m paying over $1,000, which doesn’t seem like a lot to anyone else, but it’s more than one of my paychecks,” she said. “It’s more than 50% of my salary.”

Facing more than a $130 increase in rent this year, Holmes turned to Habitat for Humanity.

Holmes’ new community, The Meadows at Plato Price, is just feet away from what was the historic all-Black Plato Price School. The school taught famed Charlotteans like thoracic surgeon Dr. Eddie Hoover and folk artist Nellie Ashford.

It closed in 1966 as part of the city of Charlotte’s desegregation plan and remained vacant until 2018, when the city donated it to Habitat for Humanity.

“It’s been a long journey, but we’re finally here,” Holmes said.

The 2023 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project is scheduled for Oct. 1 through 6 at the site of the former Plato Price School. Country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will host this year’s project.