North Charlotte Today

On Thursday, June 6, the City of Charlotte hosted Tom Perez, Senior Advisor to President Biden and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. During his visit, Perez met with Mayor Vi Lyles to discuss Charlotte's investment in affordable housing and the Affordable Mobility Platform (AMP), which aims to increase access to electric vehicles and reduce adoption barriers, particularly in the Corridors of Opportunity.

"President Biden and his administration have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to increasing sustainable infrastructure and mobility in Charlotte and throughout our country,” said Mayor Lyles. “Investing in affordable housing and programs like AMP bridge the mobility gap, address deep-rooted inequities, and ensure transportation is accessible and fair for everyone."

Perez toured Peppertree Apartments, which received $8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 292 affordable housing units. The rehabilitation includes energy efficiency upgrades such as HVAC, water heater, appliance replacements, as well as roof, window, and door improvements.

“This investment is a demonstration of meeting people where they are," said Tom Perez. "We are working together to build opportunity. The City of Charlotte has taken these resources and used them in such a remarkably catalytic way, and I know there is much more to come.”

Peppertree Apartments is located in the Albemarle/Central Corridor and is one of five affordable housing communities selected for AMP's EV carshare program. Charlotte is one of 10 cities nationwide chosen for this program and the only city in the Southeast. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, this initiative represents a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions while providing affordable, eco-friendly transportation options.

The visit concluded with a shared commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of these initiatives. The City of Charlotte aims to be a model of collaboration that can be replicated across the country.

To learn more about AMP, visit the Forth Mobility Community Carsharing webpage.