The Neighborhood Toolkit is meant to help local community members play an active role in caring for and enhancing their neighborhoods. It provides an overview of existing resources, tools, and programs available to the community that support improvements for neighborhood mobility, sustainability and environmental management, parks and public spaces, community character, and housing. Some tools also focus on increasing community capacity for leadership, involvement, and knowledge. These tools and resources are organized by their relevance to advancing key goals and objectives of the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan, including the Equitable Growth Framework, but many can be used to advance multiple goals and objectives.
Resources, tools, and programs may evolve over time; therefore, this toolkit is design to be revised in conjunction with the Charlotte Future 2040 Annual Reports.
Access to Housing Opportunity
The ability for residents of all income, household composition, and life stages to access housing options that meet their needs and economic conditions.
The programs, tools, and resource outlined below can be used to preserve existing housing stock and/or expand opportunities for new housing choices.
| Description | Who Can Use It? | Relevant Links |
|---|---|---|
| Build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on your property: ADUs are small housing units that sit primarily on the same property as a single-family home and may be attached or detached. The City is launching a new program to support the creation of ADUs, offering financial assistance and technical support for eligible property owners who want to build and rent an ADU at affordable rates. | Property Owners & Builders/Developers | Sign up for more information |
| Apply for Housing Trust Fund dollars to build and preserve affordable housing: The Housing Trust Fund (HTF) was created in 2001 as a tool to address the growing need for affordable housing in Charlotte by helping developers and property owners create and preserve affordable housing units through financial assistance. The program supports both new construction and the rehabilitation of existing units through low-interest loans and grants for qualifying income-restricted housing projects. It also provides technical assistance to developers. | Developers | Learn More |
| Apply for a Safe Rehabilitation Loan to address home repair needs: The City offers funding for housing rehabilitation through three programs: Safe Home, TLC by CLT, and the Housing Preservation Program, each offering deferred loans to low-income homeowners to assist with critical repairs to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency, create accessibility accommodations, remediate code violations, and/or keep homes safe and well-maintained. | Residents (homeowners) | Learn More |
| Apply for an Emergency Repair Program grant to immediately address home system failure: The Safe Home Emergency Repair Program (ERP) is designed to address immediate threats to health and safety for low-income homeowners (at or below 60% of the Area Median Income) who are 62 years or older and/or have a disability. The repair need must meet specific requirements for designation as an emergency. | Residents (homeowners) | Learn More |
| Apply for emergency rent & utility assistance: Crisis Ministries offers various rent and utility assistance programs to low-income residents of Mecklenburg County to prevent eviction and homelessness. Applicants must apply in-person and provide documents confirming their need for assistance, such as proof of income and past due/disconnection notices. | Residents | Learn More |
| Request free lead testing and remediation for your home and your children: The City’s LeadSafe program was established to provide lead testing for low-income community members (at or below 80% of the Area Median Income) who live in homes built before 1978 (when lead pipes and paint were legal and common). Both material testing within the home and blood testing for children under age 6 are provided free of charge for eligible homeowner and renter residents. Variable grant funding is also available for remediation when lead is found in the home. | Residents (homeowners & renters) | Learn More |
| Sell your home to the City’s Acquisition, Rehab, and Resell program: The City has developed a program to preserve affordable housing by buying homes from homeowners, renovating, and reselling them. | Residents (homeowners) | Learn More |
| Take advantage of the City’s housing counseling classes: In partnership with nonprofits Community Link and DreamKey Partners, the City offers several housing counseling services, including financial literacy, pre-homeownership counseling, and foreclosure prevention. | Residents | Learn More |
| Apply for House Charlotte homeownership assistance: In partnership with nonprofits DreamKey Partners, the House Charlotte Program offers deferred and forgivable loan options for low-to-middle-income residents (up to 110% of the Area Median Income) who are looking to purchase a home. | Residents | Learn More |
| Seek assistance from or volunteer with a homeless prevention or service organization: Effective support for those impacted by or vulnerable to potential homelessness comes when communities band together to build compassion and create solutions. The City of Charlotte distributes Federal Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding to organizations that provide support to those experiencing homelessness. | Non-profit and community-based organizations, residents (as volunteers or beneficiaries) | Community Support Services Emergency Housing Assistance |
Access to Essential Goods & Services
Having daily needs and leisure opportunities close to home, which fosters good health and well-being. These opportunities may include but are not limited to: childcare and education; parks, open space, and trails; community facilities; healthy, fresh food; healthcare and pharmacies; financial services; public-use internet.
While private development will play a key role in establishing additional goods and services across the city, the tools described below may be used by local organizations and businesses to support the expansion of some goods and services in areas currently lacking them or where growth is expected.
| Description | Who Can Use It? | Relevant Links |
|---|---|---|
| Organize and apply to host special events: The City of Charlotte manages three public spaces that are available for reservations: Five Points Plaza, the Green at Prosperity Village, and the Ritz at Washington Heights. Learn more about permitting requirements for using these spaces and watch the “Reserving a Public Space” video for additional information. To reserve a park shelter or to schedule an event at a park, please contact Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation . | Residents, Neighborhood Associations, Community Organizations, or Business Associations | Application FAQs Learn More About Permitting Requirements Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation |
| Apply for a business Façade Improvement Grant: The Façade Improvement Grant Program seeks to remove blight by assisting businesses and commercial property owners with improving building appearance and by bringing signs, parking, and landscaping into conformance with current codes. The program provides up to 60% reimbursement for eligible renovation costs. | Commercial Property Owners & Businesses | Façade Improvement Grant Program |
Open Space & Environmental Justice
Having healthy, safe, active, and equitable communities and an integrated natural and built environment, including accessible and varied open spaces, reduced exposure to harmful toxins and contaminants, improved and expanded green infrastructure and tree canopy, protected water quality and ecological diversity, and proactive climate change mitigation.
The tools, programs, and resources outlined below support efforts to create healthier and more sustainable environments and to build a more equitable community.
| Description | Who Can Use It? | Relevant Links |
|---|---|---|
Enhance Neighborhood Common Spaces: Multiple programs are offered for groups and individuals to enhance common open spaces throughout neighborhoods:
| Residents, Neighborhood Organizations & Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Charlotte Public Trees Fund Placemaking Grant Program Consult the Placemaking Hub Neighborhood Matching Grant |
| Volunteer to clean up and monitor streams: Multiple programs are offered for groups and individuals to clean up and monitor streams to help improve ecosystem health and that of the broader community. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations & Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Volunteer |
| Participate in the Floodplain Buyout Program: With the dual goals of preserving and restoring natural flood areas and strategically mitigating the threats and impacts that flooding can have on homes and businesses, Mecklenburg County offers a voluntary buyback program. This allows property owners within the floodplain to sell their property to the County at fair market value, minimizing both financial and emotional loss and creating safe and effective buffers to manage flooding when it occurs. | Property Owners | Floodplain Buyout Program | Storm Water Services |
| Volunteer with Mecklenburg Park and Recreation: There are a variety of ways to volunteer in our parks, centers, preserves, and greenways. Long-term volunteer opportunities include youth sport coaching, tutoring or mentoring, serving as a recreation center assistant, etc. Other examples include the Park Picker program, which helps keep our parks beautiful through trash and debris removal events, and Wayfinding Washers, which helps keep our signs clean and legible. | Charlotte Water Customers | Volunteer Opportunities | Park and Recreation |
| Contribute to Charlotte Water conservation and leak detection: Charlotte Water has many resources to support leak detection, repair, and conservation to protect one of our most valuable resources and prevent unnecessarily high water bills. | Charlotte Water Customers | Conservation Charlotte Water |
| Take advantage of Charlotte Water’s HomeServe Program: Many customers do not know that they are responsible for the water and sewer lines running to their homes. If these lines break, large home repairs could be unexpectedly necessary. Charlotte Water has partnered with HomeServe USA to offer an optional solution to eliminate these potential high costs and stressors by offering protective services for these types of emergencies. | Charlotte Water Customers | Products |
| Take advantage of Charlotte Water’s Cares Program: This program provides resources for families in need of assistance with their water bills. | Eligible Charlotte Water Customers | Charlotte Water Cares |
| Learn about Charlotte Water’s LeadFree CLT Program: Since 1991 Charlotte Water has been monitoring its water for lead and copper and has always meet EPA standards. Learn more about this program and how Charlotte Water is working to keep your drinking water safe. | Charlotte Water Customers | Charlotte Water | Keeping Lead Out of Your Drinking Water |
| Take advantage of Charlotte Water’s Private Water Line Financial Assistance Program: This program provides eligible Charlotte Water customers with an interest-free loan to replace existing private domestic water lines. | Eligible Charlotte Water Customers | Learn More |
| Take advantage of the Helping Hands Outreach- H-20 Foundation Program: This program works to ensure that greater Charlotte area residents have access to clean water services by providing financial assistance for water, wastewater, and stormwater bills and by facilitating access to new connections for those in need. | Charlotte Water Customers | Helping Hands outreach - H20 Foundation |
| Participate in water conservation through Charlotte Water’s Smart Irrigation Program: This program is designed to make watering more efficient and less costly for customers, reducing summertime watering by an estimated 20% or more. Participation in the program requires annual recertification. | Charlotte Water Customers (with irrigation systems) | Smart Irrigation Charlotte Water |
| Sign up for Charlotte Water Emergency Alerts: This program notifies participants of water outages, sanitary sewer spills, water quality concerns, and any lane or road closure due to an emergency water main break. Contact information is kept confidential. | Charlotte Water Customers | Sign up for Water Alerts |
Mobility & Accessibility
Conditions that allow for conveniently, comfortably, and safely traveling between destinations regardless of age, income, ability, race, residential location, or mode of travel.
The tools, programs, and resources outlined below support local improvements to mobility, with particular focus on expanding options for active and low-cost transportation options, such as walking, bicycling, and public transportation.
| Description | Who Can Use It? | Relevant Links |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for bicycle parking installation: Businesses in Charlotte can apply to have bicycle parking infrastructure installed through the City’s Bicycle Rack Partnership Program , which provides inverted-u racks for businesses who request them. This program supplements other bicycle rack installation measures, such as through new requirements for development or redevelopment and through City-initiated projects in street rights-of-way. | Businesses | Charlotte Bicycle Program |
| Request a repair or report sidewalk concerns: With the goal of providing a “safe, useful, and inviting pedestrian environment,” and guided by the City’s adopted Strategic Mobility Plan, the Sidewalk Program seeks to construct new sidewalks on all arterials and collectors with missing sidewalks, and to address reported sidewalk needs. | Residents, Businesses, Business Associations, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Sidewalk and Pedestrian Safety Street and Sidewalk Maintenance |
| Support comfortable transit experiences through the Adopt-a-Stop Program: This program was created in partnership by the Charlotte Area Transit Systems (CATS) and Keep Charlotte Beautiful (KCB). Similar to other “Adopt-a” programs in Charlotte, community members can apply to adopt a specific bus stop which they agree to clean at least twice a month for two years. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Community-Based Organizations & Groups, Businesses, Business Associations | CATS and Keep Charlotte Beautiful Launch Adopt-A-Stop Program |
| Participate in CATS’ Travel Training Program: The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) offers free one-on-one training for people with disabilities who want to travel using buses or the light rail but are overwhelmed by the task of learning and navigating the system and planning their trips. This service provides coaching to help break down access barriers and support mobility confidence and freedom. | Eligible Residents | Accessibility - Charlotte Area Transit System |
Community Character
The characteristics that make a place identifiable, unique, and special, including physical elements such as architecture, public spaces, art, landscaping and tree canopy, activities and uses, signage, streetscapes, development siting, and more.
The tools, programs, and resources outlined below support community-based efforts to define, preserve, and enhance the local character of Charlotte’s neighborhoods.
| Description | Who Can Use It? | Relevant Links |
|---|---|---|
| Decorate signal cabinet covers: As a way to showcase the identity of a neighborhood or business district and to beautify the public realm, the City has established a program t o support decorative covers for traffic signal cabinets. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Supporting Art |
| Apply for a Placemaking Grant and consult the Placemaking Hub:These community-building resources support the activation of leftover and underutilized spaces, streetscape improvements, art and beautification efforts, and the creation of community gathering spaces. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Placemaking Grant Program Placemaking Hub |
| Apply for Decorative Sign & Monuments installation: Through the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program , neighborhood organizations can support community identity and sense of place through new signage and area branding monuments. | Neighborhood Organizations & Business Associations | Neighborhood Matching Grants |
| Develop a street-front parklet: The Pilot Parklet Program helps to bring to life eligible small public spaces that serve as an extension of the sidewalk, replacing one or more on-street parking spaces. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Pilot Parklet Program |
| Apply for the “Paint the Pavement” Program: This project is an opportunity for residents, neighborhood associations, organizations, or business associations, to create a semi-permanent change to their neighborhood and create a forum for public expression and placemaking by painting part of a street. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Paint the Pavement Program |
| Install outdoor sidewalk dining: This program provides an opportunity for restaurants or food service establishments to take advantage of larger outdoor sidewalk spaces for servicing customers, activating the streetscape. Outdoor sidewalk dining may also be combined with the Pilot Parklet Program to maximize impact for creating new gathering spaces. | Businesses | Install Outdoor Sidewalk Dining |
| Adopt-a-Street: This program is a grassroots litter removal project that organizes volunteer groups to clean up hundreds of miles of City-owned streets throughout Charlotte. Various individuals and groups can adopt a minimum one-mile length of street, conducting at least three cleanups per year over the course of a two-year commitment. The program provides cleaning supplies and the installation of two adoption signs along the adopted route. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Adopt-A-City-Street |
| Address code violations and nonconformities: The City of Charlotte has specific regulations for structures, landscaping, and environmental health, which each neighborhood, property owner, and resident is expected to abide by. These regulations (primarily found in the UDO) are enforced by Code Inspectors who canvas neighborhoods daily. Citizens can also play an active role by reporting code violations via phone, online, or in the CLT+ application. | Residents, Property Owners, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Code Enforcement |
| Explore the creation of a new Historic District Overlay (HDO) area: The HDO is a zoning tool used to preserve the historic character of an area and ensure that new development is compatible, requiring a specific design review process for all exterior changes within the designated area. | Residents, Property Owners, Developers, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Businesses & Business Associations | Learn More |
| Explore the creation of a new Historic District Overlay – Streetside (HDO-S) area: The HDO-S is similar to an HDO but mostly focuses on the first 50% in depth of principal buildings on lots (see description for Historic District Overlay). | Residents, Property Owners, Developers, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Businesses & Business Associations | Learn More |
| Explore the creation of a new Neighborhood Character Overlay (NCO): The NCO is an overlay district that may impose standards inside existing neighborhoods to help new infill development fit in better. This tool is available to neighborhoods that may not be a candidate for historic designation but where enough support exists to preserve its character. | Residents, Property Owners, Developers, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Businesses & Business Associations | Learn More |
| Explore the creation of a new Residential Infill Overlay (RIO) area: The RIO districts are similar to NCOs with the intent of maintaining and complimenting existing neighborhood conditions when new infill development occurs. | Residents, Property Owners, Developers, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Businesses & Business Associations | Learn More |
Neighborhood Leadership & Capacity-Building
Broad community involvement, empowerment, and stewardship are key ingredients of a city that is inclusive, diverse, livable, well-connected, healthy, sustainable, prosperous, innovative, and both locally- and- regionally-responsive.
The tools, programs, and resources outlined below are designed to support and inspire grassroots efforts and neighborhood leaders. While some of these resources supplement other projects and objectives described in this Toolkit, some specifically focus on building individuals’ or community organizations’ capacity to affect change and positively impact their neighborhood.
| Description | Who Can Use It? | Relevant Links |
|---|---|---|
| Apply to participate in the Charlotte Civic Leadership Academy: The City has created a free 10-course program which is available, upon application, to Charlotte residents interested in taking on a leadership role within their community. | Residents, Members of Community-Based Organizations or Groups, Members of Neighborhood Organizations & Associations, Members of Business Associations | Charlotte Civic Leadership Academy |
| Apply to participate in Charlotte’s 2040 Planning The City’s Department of Planning, Design, and Development hosts the 2040 Planning Academy – a free educational program for residents interested in learning more about the role that city planning plays in building communities. | Residents, Members of Community-Based Organizations or Groups, Members of Neighborhood Organizations & Associations, Members of Business Associations | 2040 Planning Academy |
| Take advantage of the City’s various training and capacity building opportunities: Through the Housing and Neighborhood Services Department, the City offers both in-person and on-demand digital training for individuals and organizations that wish to build capacity and better equip themselves to be leaders and active participants in their local community. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Training and Engagement Opportunities |
| Take advantage of the City’s Community ToolBank: The Community ToolBank offers low-fare tool and equipment rentals for local project and event implementation, including but not limited to: landscaping, painting, neighborhood movie nights, etc. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Community ToolBank Tour |
| Seek assistance from the Neighborhood Engagement Services Team (NEST): The main purpose of the NEST teams , which are defined by council districts, is to assist their respective communities with project implementation and area revitalization efforts, including advocacy, public resource coordination, information-sharing, and empowering problem-solving solutions. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Neighborhood Resources |
| Request supplies and support for cleanup projects (Keep Charlotte Beautiful): Keep Charlotte Beautiful (KCB) was started as an effort to educate and encourage people to actively participate in health, cleanliness, and beaty improvements for their local communities. This program offers cleanup supplies, and other support. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | Keep Charlotte Beautiful |
| Apply for a Community Resilience Grant: This grant program is designed to support nonprofits that provide services and programs that support and uplift communities or individuals that have been financially and/or disparately impacted by Covid-19, including for housing and neighborhood stability, upward mobility and economic advancement, equity and inclusion, sustainability and environmental justice, and more. | Nonprofits | Community Resilience Fund Nonprofit Grants |
| Reference the CLT Community Online Platform:The CLT Community is an online platform where residents can connect with several City of Charlotte planning and development programs through one account, allowing residents to identify and register as neighborhood leaders, ensuring that your community receives important updates, access to data, and more. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Nonprofits, Businesses, Business Associations, Community-Based Organizations & Groups | CLT Community |
| Neighborhood Organization Contact List: This list, available on the CLT Community online platform, connects neighborhoods and encourages community involvement and information-sharing. | Residents, Neighborhood Organizations or Associations, Businesses, Business Associations, Developers | CLT Community |
| Apply for a Neighborhood Matching Grant: This grant program awards funds to eligible neighborhood-based organizations to make neighborhoods better places to live, work, and play, including park/playground enhancements, landscaping, trails, art, benches and seating, community gardens, and more. | Neighborhood Organizations & Associations | Neighborhood Matching Grants |