CAHEC, a community development organization focused on affordable housing, activated its Disaster Relief Initiative to assist 50 residents displaced by a fire that destroyed Adair Place Apartments in Goldsboro, North Carolina, on August 31. Many residents lost most or all of their belongings in the blaze. Through the initiative, CAHEC coordinated with partners to distribute gift cards, enabling families to purchase essential items.
“When we hear about a tragedy like this, our team immediately connects with partners to assess the situation and see how we can help,” said Stefanie Lee, Community Relations Manager for CAHEC. “The well-being of our residents is always our priority, and we want them to know they are not facing this alone.”
The response was bolstered by contributions from Remnant Management, Centrant Community Capital, First Bank, and numerous individual donors. Their collective efforts nearly tripled CAHEC’s initial contribution to the property, significantly enhancing support during this critical period. The local Goldsboro community also mobilized quickly, with a local church offering temporary housing and local businesses and residents donating food, clothing, school supplies, and other essentials.
“It's been inspiring to see so many people come together to support our residents,” shared Teresa Narron, Director of Operations for Pendergraph Management. “The generosity of this community is making a real difference for families who are starting over.”
This incident underscores the importance of disaster preparedness and response mechanisms within affordable housing communities. For HR vendors, this story highlights the critical role that property management and community organizations play in supporting residents during catastrophic events. The swift collaboration between CAHEC, property managers, and local entities demonstrates the value of established relief initiatives and partnerships in mitigating the impact of such tragedies.
CAHEC strengthens communities by providing affordable housing and supportive service initiatives across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Its activities include low-income housing tax credits, historic tax credits, new markets tax credits, renewable energy credits, loan programs, wellness and education initiatives, affordable housing development, and property management services. For more information, visit CAHEC's website.
The disaster at Adair Place Apartments serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by residents in affordable housing and the importance of having robust support systems in place. For HR vendors serving the affordable housing sector, this event may prompt renewed focus on disaster recovery planning and the integration of emergency assistance programs into their service offerings.
