General Government Committee Meeting - October 13, 2025

The General Government Committee of the Winston-Salem City Council convened on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The meeting featured a presentation on Raleigh's Oak City Cares multi-service center, an update on local homeless initiatives, and consideration of seven resolutions for affordable housing development using city-owned properties. The committee approved the consent agenda and voted unanimously to recommend all seven affordable housing items to the City Council for the November 3, 2025 meeting.

Consent Calendar

• C-1. Approval of the General Government Committee Summary of Minutes – The minutes from the September 8, 2025 meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote (4-0).

Discussion Items

• G-1. Presentation Regarding Oak City Cares Multi-Service Center in Raleigh, NC – Rick Miller-Haraway, MSW, LCSW, a board member of Oak City Cares, presented the multi-service center model. He explained that Oak City Cares is a public-private partnership providing coordinated wraparound services (basic needs, care coordination, weekend meals) for individuals experiencing homelessness. The center serves 5,400 unduplicated people annually, with over 30 on-site partner agencies. Wake County owns the building and covers utilities, maintenance, and security, allowing the center to offer rent-free space to partners. Total annual budget is $3 million, with $609,000 from city and county grants and $2 million raised by the nonprofit. Council members asked about the types of agencies on site, whether any had relocated permanently (none had), and about the center's role in housing (it does not provide housing but does rapid rehousing with grants). Mayor Pro Tempore Adams and the mayor expressed interest in applying lessons learned to Winston-Salem.

• G-2. Update on Neighborhood Services' Homeless Initiatives – Shereka Floyd, Housing Programs Manager, presented the 2025 homeless initiative update. She described the Continuum of Care (CoC) structure, federal funding streams, and the city's role as an entitlement city. Key statistics: In FY 2024-25, the CoC served 1,244 households (1,582 people), with an average 117 days homeless and an 18% exit rate to permanent housing. The 2025 Point-in-Time count was 478, a decrease from 627 in 2024 (partially attributed to fewer volunteers). Floyd detailed the city's $3 million in CoC funds, plus additional CDBG and ESG grants. She compared local funding to other NC cities: Greensboro ($895k), Charlotte-Mecklenburg ($17M non-federal), Chapel Hill ($1.3M), Durham ($300k+), Wilmington ($91k), and Asheville ($300k). Current needs include increasing frontline staff wages (average $35,000), developing interim housing (especially for women and families), non-congregate shelter for high-barrier individuals, more affordable housing, and prevention services. Floyd highlighted improved city-county partnerships and coordination with the Winston-Salem Police Department, Bear Team, and other departments.

• G-3. Consideration of Resolutions Related to Affordable Housing Development and Disposition of City-Owned Property – Shantell McClam, Neighborhood Services Director, presented seven proposals from the second cycle of the city's affordable housing development process. She introduced new Housing Development Director Michael Blair. The evaluation criteria included development quality, leverage of resources, financial feasibility, developer experience, MWBE participation, and supportive services. The committee reviewed each submitted proposal:

  • 3a. Vecino Group (East Ward) – Conditional conveyance of 8.91 acres at 0 Mock Street for 42 units of single-family affordable rental housing at 60% AMI. Total development cost $12.5M; land valued at $486,400 is offered for $250,000. Includes a clubhouse, fitness center, and permanent supportive housing units in partnership with City with Dwellings. Evaluation team and coalition recommended approval.
  • 3b. Affordable Housing Management, Inc. (Southeast Ward) – Conditional sale of 5.33 acres at 0 Peters Creek Parkway for 84 units of affordable rental housing at 60% AMI (21 one-bedroom, 42 two-bedroom, 21 three-bedroom). Proposed for $1. Includes a bus shelter proposal. This parcel was contested; Prosperity Alliance also proposed 46 townhomes for homeownership at 80% AMI, but the evaluation team recommended the higher-density, deeper-affordability rental project. Council Member Clark noted the parcel is zoned single-family and may face opposition; staff recommended developers conduct community outreach.
  • 3c. Prosperity Alliance (East Ward) – Sale of 8 city-owned lots on Alder Street (Happy Hill area) for 8 single-family affordable homes for homeownership at 80% AMI, sales price ≤ $240,000. No gap financing requested. Collaboration with True Homes. Recommended.
  • 3d. Prosperity Alliance (Southeast Ward) – Sale of 1 lot at 82 East Rhine Avenue for 33 single-family affordable townhomes for homeownership at 80% AMI, sales price ≤ $240,000. No gap financing. Recommended.
  • 3e. Moravian Church in America, Southern Province (North, Northwest, Southwest, East Wards) – Sale of 12 city-owned lots and $525,000 in gap financing ($35,000 per home) to develop 15 single-family affordable homes for homeownership at 80% AMI, sales price ≤ $194,000. Homes are two-story, three-bedroom, no garage. Recommended.
  • 3f. Whole Man Ministries (East Ward) – Conveyance of 1 lot with existing structure at 1033 Claremont Avenue and $35,000 gap financing to rehab one single-family affordable home (3-bedroom, 1.5 bath) for homeownership, sales price ≤ $275,000. Recommended.
  • 3g. Bells Property Management (East and Northeast Wards) – Conveyance of 3 lots with existing structures and $105,000 gap financing ($35,000 each) to rehab three single-family affordable rental homes at Excelsior, Graham, and Ansonia streets. Proposed rental rates: $1,100–$1,250 per month. Recommended.

Council members discussed the balance between rental and homeownership, emphasizing the need for affordable rental for lower-income households. Council Member Joiner advocated for porches over garages to foster community. A motion was made by Council Member Hall, seconded by Council Member Joiner, to approve all items under G-3 (3a–3g) by blanket vote. The motion carried unanimously. The committee forwarded the recommendations to the City Council meeting scheduled for November 3, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved – Unanimous approval of the September 8, 2025 minutes.
• Oak City Cares Presentation – Received as information; future discussions planned to explore a similar model in Winston-Salem.
• Homeless Initiatives Update – Received as information; staff directed to continue developing data and partnerships.
• Affordable Housing Resolutions – The committee unanimously recommended approval of all seven resolutions (3a–3g) for City Council consideration on November 3, 2025. Next steps: conditional award notifications by November 14, 2025, and a third cycle anticipated in early December 2025.
• Process Note – The committee reiterated that affordable housing proposals will continue to go through the established process, not be accepted outside of it. Staff will consider adding a public input pathway via the Affordable Housing Coalition before proposals reach committee.