By: Lee Nelson

REALTORS® in North Carolina are not just witnessing the housing crisis—they’re actively working to  solve it. Across the state, real estate professionals are leveraging their expertise, resources and  partnerships to break down barriers to homeownership.

From tackling affordability challenges to revitalizing neighborhoods and advocating for change, these  NC REALTORS® are creating real solutions that help more people achieve the dream of owning a  home.

Championing Housing Affordability & Community Support

For Charisma Southerland, president of the Canopy REALTOR® Association, Canopy MLS, and  Canopy Housing Foundation, real estate has always been more than just buying and selling homes—it’s a powerful tool for building wealth and stability. But today, many North Carolinians find that dream  slipping further out of reach.

“Homes are not affordable anymore,” Southerland says. “I have clients coming out of college telling  me that even with a $100,000 yearly salary, they still can’t afford to live in Charlotte. My heart goes  out to them.”

With limited inventory, high interest rates and a steady influx of new residents each month, housing  prices continue to soar. North Carolina’s population now exceeds 11 million, growing by 605,000  people since the 2020 census, further straining affordability.

Recognizing this urgent challenge, the Canopy Housing Foundation—the charitable arm of the  Canopy REALTOR® Association—has made housing accessibility and advocacy a priority.  Southerland calls it “the heart of the association,” leading efforts to set housing standards, promote  affordability and support community initiatives.

One of its most impactful efforts is REALTORS® Care Day, an annual event where volunteers roll up  their sleeves to make a tangible impact. Each year, REALTORS® work on home-repair projects  across three counties, partnering with Habitat for Humanity and other housing organizations to assist  families in need. “I’ve fixed decks, climbed ladders to clean gutters and built community gardens for  sustainable eating,” Southerland shares, reflecting on her hands-on experience.

Revitalizing Communities, One Home at a Time

In Belmont, Jennifer Simmons is making homeownership more attainable through renovation and  community-driven initiatives. As a broker with Premier South and an experienced renovator, Simmons has spent the past four years partnering with a compassionate investor to renovate nine homes—all while keeping rents at $1,400 or less per month. Known as the “Renovating REALTOR®,” she is  committed to ensuring that more families have access to stable, affordable housing.

Beyond renovations, Simmons collaborates with fellow Gaston County agents through the nonprofit  Hearts 2 Home, an organization dedicated to supporting underserved seniors, veterans and families  transitioning from homelessness. Through this initiative, she helps collect and distribute furniture,  appliances and other essentials, transforming empty spaces into welcoming, stable homes.

Making Homeownership Attainable for Wilmington’s Essential Workers

For many essential workers—including nurses, firefighters and teachers—finding affordable housing  in Wilmington is an ongoing challenge. To help address this issue, the Wilmington REALTORS®  Foundation is developing Pierson Pointe, a 48-unit workforce townhome community designed to  provide housing within reach for those who serve the community.

Slated for groundwork in 2025 and construction in 2026, Pierson Pointe will span six acres and offer  two-story townhomes to buyers earning 81-120 percent of the area’s median income, as defined by  the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Jody Wainio, president of the Foundation, serves as managing broker and broker-in-charge of Keller  Williams Innovate, and team leader at Buyer’s Choice Realty @ Keller Williams, Wilmington. She got  involved with this housing project with her friend, Sherri Pickard, broker at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, Wilmington. “As a group, we wanted to look outward and better serve the  community that we work in,” Wainio comments.

“If we don’t actively pursue affordable living conditions for our workforce, it will no longer exist.”

Bridging the Housing Gap for Greensboro’s Essential Workers

Your local barista, your child’s teacher and the nurse at urgent care often can’t afford a home in the  city where they work. Rising home prices and limited affordable inventory have made homeownership increasingly out of reach for the Greensboro’s workforce.

“With the rise in median home list prices, it is very difficult to buy a home in this area without a lot of  financing,” says Sofia Crisp, executive director and founder of Housing Consultants Group, a  nonprofit dedicated to educating families through pre- and post-purchase counseling and financial  wellness programs.

To support essential workers in overcoming these barriers, volunteer lenders and REALTORS®,  including Crisp, offer bi-monthly home-buying classes, highlighting down payment assistance  programs. Additionally, they are working alongside city officials to make affordable housing a reality  by partnering with nonprofit builders to renovate city-owned properties, resulting in lower purchase  prices for homebuyers.

“These homes must remain affordable for 15 years and can only be resold to buyers earning 80  percent or less of the median income,” Crisp explains. Local leaders are also exploring incentives for  small builders to encourage the development of more affordable housing options.

Across North Carolina, REALTORS® are proving that homeownership is more than just a transaction —it’s a lifeline for individuals, families and communities. While challenges remain, their dedication  and collaboration drive real change, one home at a time.

By continuing to push for solutions, expand resources and invest in their communities, North  Carolina’s REALTORS® are helping to build a future where homeownership is truly within reach for  all.