BENSON, N.C. — There is a big need for affordable housing in North Carolina, especially in rural communities, but getting the resources to keep up with demand is a challenge with housing prices increasing. 

What You Need To Know

  • The need for affordable housing is a big issue in North Carolina

  • Rising housing prices and inflation are contributing to the problem

  • Equal housing opportunity apartment complexes provide affordable options in rural communities

  • The N.C. Housing Finance Agency helps find housing options for people below median income levels

Scott Farmer, executive director at the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, says affordable housing doesn't have to mean cheap housing.

He says low-income apartment complexes, such as Benson Green, which provides equal housing opportunity, can help rural areas across the state.

“Not only is it home for many of the families that live and work in this community, but it also is an asset to the community,” Farmer said. “They provide jobs. They provide tax base. It's just a win-win for the communities wherever we're able to provide this housing.”

These family apartments are for residents who are at or below 60% of the area’s median income. Farmer says that shows there is clearly a demand for affordable housing in these communities.

Although, Farmer’s agency has funded almost 300,000 homes and apartments, the demand is much higher. The Housing Finance Agency receives 150 applications a year through the housing credit program for communities like this. But limited resources can fund only 25 each year — especially with the cost of housing rising quickly in North Carolina.

“As we've seen the population in our state grow over the last few years,” Farmer said. “It's really put more and more pressure as folks begin to move further out from the metro areas and into those rural areas. And they just don't have the resources available to them to be able to provide this type of housing everywhere that's needed.”

State resources are available through a housing trust fund and the Work Force Housing Loan Program. But with inflation, advocates say they want more long-term rural investment plans to keep up with demand.

“We really need to increase our commitment to housing across the state,” Farmer said. “So it's been a long-standing, productive program, and something we're extremely proud to be part of in North Carolina.”

The agency offers many services — help with solutions to homelessness, homebuyer mortgages, supportive housing for people with disabilities and rental housing. You can learn more about their programs on their website.