Unanimous approval for stable homes Cary: Program to aid displaced residents moves forward

A program to help people displaced by development has been approved to move forward. Stable Homes Cary received unanimous support from the town council.

It was a packed house at the Cary town council meeting Thursday night as supporters of the program held up signs reading, 'We support stable homes Cary'.

This program aims to help people displaced by the large devolvement in the town.

It was standing room only in Cary Town Council Chambers as community members piled in to support Stable Homes Cary.

Partnering with Dorcas Ministries, the program will provide support for community members impacted by large-scale property redevelopment in the town.

"We're working to create more affordable housing and preserve some of the affordable housing that already exists in Cary, "Heather Whelehan, Director of Housing and Community Partnerships for Cary, said.

Many people are residents of Chatham Estates, a mobile home community on the market right now. Those residents fear they won't be able to find other affordable housing in Cary,

So they are thankful that the council approved the program.

"We are very happy, we are very glad, and we are very glad that they were able to help us out. So we're able to still have the community that we all grew up in," Chatham Estates Residents said.

Council approved a 1.65 million dollar 3-year funding plan, starting with 500,000 dollars in year one, to assist low-income residents. Dorcas CEO Andre Anthony says they plan to start work immediately.

"We're gonna be working on figuring out who we need to work with first. Who are the most vulnerable?" Andre Anthony, Dorcas CEO said.

Connie Orander, a supporter, spoke out tonight. She tells WRAL News it's important to advocate for low-income residents.

"Cary has become a very diverse community. We lose our diversity when we simply make this a town of people with hundred thousand dollar salaries and nice cars and homes. Is that what we want?" Orander said.

So what is next? Dorcas is working with the town of Cary to find out how those funds will be distributed.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from this visit Dorcas's website or the town of cary website.