History

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is responsible for administering and managing a range of programs authorized and funded by Congress under the basic provisions of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937. The Act created the Public and Indian housing program, which now provides affordable housing to over 1.3 million households nationwide. The aim of the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) is to ensure safe, decent, and affordable housing; create opportunities for residents' self-sufficiency and economic independence; and assure fiscal integrity by all program participants. Local housing agencies were incorporated to manage the housing for low-income residents at rents they could afford.

CHA Administrative Building located at Piedmont Courts in 1940 In December 1938, the Charlotte City Council declared a need for a housing authority in Charlotte. The Council believed that sanitary and safe inhabited dwelling accommodations at rents, which persons of low income could afford, did not exist in the City of Charlotte or its surrounding areas. Mayor Ben E. Douglas appointed a group of five citizens to complete the application for incorporation of the Housing Authority of the City of Charlotte. The North Carolina Secretary of State incorporated the agency in June 1939.

The Housing Authority of the City of Charlotte (CHA) began developing assisted (low income) housing units immediately.

Interactive Timeline

For an in depth look at CHA's history, click here to view an interactive timeline.

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