The Moravian Church makes request to Winston-Salem for city lots to build housing

A leader of the Moravian Church presented a request to the Winston-Salem City Council this week for funding and land to build affordable housing, sparking concerns from some officials on a lack of a clear policy for selling property.

The church is looking to purchase four city-owned lots for $1 each in the Southwest Ward. According to a presentation, they're also requesting $160,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

The money would support the development of four single-family homes for people earning up to 80% of the area median income. City staff reduced the church's initial request for 19 lots citing its lack of experience as developers.

Mayor Pro Tem D.D. Adams said at the committee meeting there needs to be a better overall process, and it needs to be fair to the community.

"They are the ones that are eventually the customers to the product, not the City Council," Adams said.

The North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation in 2021 allowing Winston-Salem to sell its empty lots for affordable housing.

Adams said the City Council needs more information to treat proposals fairly moving forward.