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Created in the fall of 2020, the Healthy Union Advisory Coalition's purpose is to utilize the cooperative strength of many community partners to identify overall health, quality of life and health equity issues, and support work to address those issues in Union County. 

Mission

The mission of the Healthy Union Advisory Coalition is to commit time, talents, and resources to co-create a healthy community and a hopeful future for all residents.

Goal

Our goal is to ensure that the community continues to work on the priority areas identified in the Community Health Assessment (CHA)and the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) on an ongoing basis and to identify and/or support additional priority areas as they arise.

Priority Areas

Community Goal

All people in Union County have access to safe, healthy and affordable housing.

Issues that Impact Affordable Housing and Homelessness
  • No comprehensive community plan to address affordable housing and homelessness issue.
  • Gentrification, building high end homes across the county and tearing down affordable housing.
  • Lack of flexibility for new housing developments.
  • No rental assistance program in the county.
  • Inflation- High interest rates and cost for food, fuel, utilities, etc.
  • Stagnant wages or wages that have not kept up with inflation or cost of living.
  • Stable, middle-class jobs hard to find.
  • High rents.
  • Limited Rental Properties (low vacancy rate).
  • Increased costs of building materials.
  • Crime in low-income areas.
  • Opposition to new density developments/affordable housing.
  • Development standards.
  • Stigma about homelessness.
  • Equity issues.
  • Limited mental health and substance use disorder programs.
  • Taxation – High property taxes.
  • Lack of landlord accountability on housing standards.
  • Overcrowding in housing.

What Works

Affordable Housing
  • Affordable Housing
  • Eviction Diversion
  • Homebuyer Assistance Program
  • Homeowner Rehabilitation Program
  • Low Income Housing Tax Credit
  • North Carolina Neighborhood Revitalization Program
  • Prevention
  • Public Housing and Voucher Program

Homeless Population
  • Coordinated Entry
  • Emergency Shelter and Interim Housing
  • Permanent Supportive Housing
  • Rapid Rehousing
  • Supportive Services (Clothing, Education Programs, Financial Assistance, Food Assistance, Health Services, Transportation, Utility Assistance, Workforce Development)

Partners
  • Churches and faith-based organizations
  • Nonprofits: Ground 40, House of Pearl, Bridge to Recovery, Community Link, Operation Reach Out, Heart for Monroe, David's Backpacks for Homeless, Crisis Assistance, Community Action, Common Heart
  • TruHome
  • Law Enforcement
  • County and Municipalities
  • Planning
  • Politicians/local leaders
  • Banks: Flexible lending
  • Landlords
  • Realtors
  • Elected officials can help with policy
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • McKinney Vento
  • Community Shelter of Union County
  • Union County Public Schools
  • Developers
  • Residents
  • Union County Economic Development
  • Union County Planning Department
  • Monroe Housing Authority

Community Health Improvement Plan Programs

Housing Symposium

Thrive! Union, a collaboration of individuals and diverse organizations with the mission of alleviating poverty and increasing economic mobility, is putting together a housing symposium in February 2024. The goal of the symposium is to:

  • Educate participants about affordable housing issues and needs.
  • Provide information about programs that can be implemented to address these issues and needs.
  • Spark interest in the development of a community strategic plan to address housing issues and needs.