Don’t Forget the Middle — Keeping Workforce Housing in Focus

Charlotte’s building boom is good news. Thousands of new apartments are underway, adding critical supply that will help meet demand and stabilize rents. As we celebrate this progress, we also understand the importance of balance. It’s not an either/or choice. We can do both build new communities while ensuring that essential workers and moderate-income households can find affordable housing as well.

Why the Middle Matters

Nationwide, the U.S. faces a shortage of 3.8 million workforce homes (Starner, 2024). Employers increasingly note that housing costs make it harder to attract and retain employees near job centers. In a high-growth city like Charlotte, maintaining housing options for middle-income earners is vital to sustaining the workforce that supports our schools, hospitals, and local economy.

A Complement to New Construction

Patrick Richard (2024) observes that institutional investors are beginning to view workforce housing as a stable, long-term asset class. Strategies like adaptive reuse of existing buildings and sustainable retrofits can expand mid-tier supply alongside new apartments. These approaches are not replacements for new development, they are complements, ensuring growth includes opportunities across the income spectrum.

Policy Tools That Can Help

• Zoning flexibility — Allow moderate-density housing near transit and job centers to expand options (Starner, 2024).
• Adaptive reuse — Convert underutilized commercial or office spaces into mid-tier housing (Richard, 2024).
• Public-private partnerships — Align incentives with private capital to make workforce projects financially feasible (Richard, 2024).

Why This Balanced Approach Works

Charlotte’s success depends on keeping pace with both supply and affordability. By ensuring that teachers, nurses, first responders, and service workers can live in the communities they serve, we strengthen the fabric of the city. Balanced policies that encourage new development and promote workforce housing ensure Charlotte’s growth remains inclusive and sustainable.

At the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association, we continue to advocate for smart, balanced housing policy promoting growth while ensuring that housing options remain accessible to residents at all income levels.