New Effort Aims To Increase Home Ownership In Cumberland County

One of Fayetteville's largest employers is working to help its employees live the American dream.

Black and Decker is the only Cumberland County employer to participate in a new effort that helps turn working families into first-time homeowners.

Carl Manning is coordinating the program, with the backing of city and county leaders, to launch the first employer-assisted home ownership effort.

"If everyone was paying their fair share, if everyone owned a home, it would definitely increase the tax base," Manning said.

Because of its large number of military renters, Cumberland County has one of the lowest home ownership rates in the state -- 59.7 percent compared to 69.4 percent in all of North Carolina.

The Black and Decker initiative will help an estimated 250 families become first-time homeowners. More employers are expected to be added to the list.