CHARP

A new report finds that 1 in 5 homes bought in the Charlotte MSA went to investors. That is the highest rate in the country behind Atlanta. This trend highlights the changing nature of neighborhoods and the growing amount of people who rent. A question arises of how CHARP and other community-university partnerships can still […]

An older story but an interesting one nonetheless where an impoverished and struggling neighborhood has been slated for demolition. Rather than a public housing community, this neighborhood in Champaign, IL called Bristol Place is a neighborhood of private houses. A largely African-American community it had lately suffered from alleged high crime and low property values. […]

Chuck McShane wrote an article about Joe Howarth’s master’s thesis research regarding where grant funds are landing in Charlotte. Although marginalized neighborhoods value the grants, they have been unable to gain access to them at the same rate as more stable neighborhoods. Do city grants go where they are needed most?

The new year brings growing relationships and more opportunties between UNC Charlotte and Charlotte neighborhoods. Students will begin working with Enderly Park and our new neighborhood partner, Washington Heights. For more information about CHARP, please see our backfile of CHARP stories.

The author has an interesting perspective about the city and its complicated history. The article has both hope and misery. People are still fighting for their city as Detroit shrinks. Also, the article is very critical of fly-by-night protests. An article that challenges you to think critically about city planning, neighborhood organizing, and the future […]

Tara Bengle and Melissa Currie were nominated for the PEO Scholar Award and were featured in the most recent issue of The Graduate Source. Congratulations to both of them. Spring-2014-Graduate-Source.pdf

The people at University Advancement helped CHARP create a great promo starring our Program Director Dr. Janni Sorensen to spread the word about CHARP. The video link below explains our mission, our action research focus in how we work with neighborhoods, and our ability to offer opportunities for faculty and students to get involved in […]

Melissa Currie, Tara Bengle, and Joe Howarth presented research at the Urban Affairs Conference regarding work that stemmed from CHARP’s partnership with Charlotte neighborhoods. Melissa Currie discussed her current dissertation research regarding the resiliency of starter home communities in Charlotte. Tara Bengle outlined the popular education model and how it is being employed for empowerment […]

Students and residents came together this past weekend to rework and reopen the community garden located near the Nia Point Apartments. The event had music, games, and a lot of hard work to get the garden cleared, tilled, and replanted for the season. Those in attendance planted corn, carrots, collards, flowers, and squash. Residents hope […]

Residents of Windy Ridge in partnership with CHARP, the Charlotte Fire Department, City of Charlotte’s Neighborhood & Business Services, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department hits the streets and knocked on doors to extend the olive branch and connect neighbors to each other and the services offered in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Students from Dr. Sorensen’s […]