CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp. is building its largest-ever affordable housing project after receiving more than $11.3 million in federal tax credits and a loan from the state and the City of Charlotte.
Guardian Angel Villa, a 102,000-square-foot, 81-unit apartment building, is designed for low-income seniors aged 55 or older. It will feature 27 one-bedroom apartments and 54 two-bedroom apartments. Nine apartments will be handicapped accessible and all second- and third-floor units serviced by elevator.
Guardian Angel Villa will be the fourth project for the diocese’s housing corporation, which was founded in 2001 by the late Bishop William Curlin to create, maintain and promote housing and accompanying services for seniors, the disabled and the vulnerable.
The project is currently under construction in south Charlotte on a 20-acre, multi-phase property along South Tryon Street, and adjacent to another diocesan housing project, Mother Teresa Villa. It is expected to be completed this fall.
The vision for the overall site is an extensive campus of affordable housing options, green space and amenities.
“The campus’s unofficial name is Guardian Angel Village, so naming this new housing unit Guardian Angel Villa seemed appropriate,” said Adriel Cardenas, director of the housing corporation.
“We want the names of the facilities that we build to reflect the Catholic faith and the traditions of the Church. Our desire is to share the love of Christ and point people to Him in every way possible,” Cardenas explained.
“We all feel very fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity to deliver these homes and to touch peoples’ lives,” he said. “We want to deliver more than just the bricks and mortar. We want to build transformational communities.”
Guardian Angel Villa “is one part of that,” he said.
Your DSA contributions at work
The Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp. is funded in part by contributions from the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how you can contribute at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.
Guardian Angel Villa will have a chapel, as well as outdoor spaces, a front porch and a balcony where residents can relax, enjoy the gardens and socialize. It will feature benches, rocking chairs and other community gathering spaces inside and outside.
Funding for the approximately $13.5 million project will largely come from a $9.3 million allocation of federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits syndicated by RBC Community Investments and a $250,000 fully deferred, fully forgivable loan from the state. Both funding sources will be administered by the N.C. Housing Finance Agency, as well as $1.75 million in proceeds from the Charlotte Housing Trust Fund.
Construction financing is by Wells Fargo, Permanent Debt by Freddie Mac and Prudential.
The diocese also is helping to fund the project by providing the land at a substantially reduced amount.
Three-quarters of the units will lease to residents 55 or older who earn 60 percent or below the local median income. One-quarter of the units will lease to residents 55 or older who earn 30 percent or below the local median income. Rents are projected to range from $342 to $866, depending on income, household size and unit size.
Douglas Development and Schaumber Development are co-developers and co-owners on the project.
Architectural firm Progress Design Studio designed Guardian Angel Villa. Progress Carolina is the general contractor.
Excel Property Management will manage Guardian Angel Villa. It is currently accepting information from interested applicants prior to opening the formal application process this fall. All are welcome to apply.
This is the second of several phases slated for the 20-acre campus on Guardian Angel Lane. It already features Mother Teresa Villa, a housing complex for adults with developmental disabilities that opened in 2015.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Get info on Guardian Angel Villa
Excel Property Management is compiling a list of interested applicants. To be added to the list and to receive updates on the application process as the project progresses, contact Excel Property Management at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 919-878-0522, ext. 265. All are welcome to apply.