Atrium Health’s Lasting Community Commitment is Building Health Through Housing

Atrium Health has long been a leading force in advancing remedies to address social determinants of health, including years of support for affordable housing solutions in the Charlotte region. From large housing investments that include virtual health clinics to the inclusion of affordable housing in the most transformative economic development initiative in this region in decades — combined with civic and policy leadership to keep the issue at the forefront of discussion — Atrium Health continues to redefine what it means to care for the community.

That’s the message Atrium Health teammates and community partners delivered at the Dec. 16, 2025, meeting of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. Leaders also took the opportunity to address recent misinformation about The Pearl innovation district and announce progress on planned affordable housing units for the site.

Speakers in the video, in order, are Mark Etheridge, managing principal, Ascent Housing; Liz Clasen-Kelly, CEO, Roof Above; Joseph Fuller, psychiatric technician, Atrium Health Cabarrus; Brian Donato, teammate support strategist, Atrium Health; Don Jonas, vice president of social impact, Advocate Health; and Collin Lane, executive vice president of professional and support services, Atrium Health.

Community voices, shared purpose

Leaders from two leading Charlotte-based organizations that work to create affordable housing and support the unhoused, Roof Above and Ascent Housing, addressed the commissioners. They detailed Atrium Health’s history of tangible results, sharing stories of lives changed and a community strengthened by investments in housing stability.

“Atrium Health has been at the forefront of the local business community and leading new high impact efforts in affordable housing since 2020,” said Mark Etheridge, managing principal of Ascent Housing and a board member for the Housing Impact Fund. “They provided $15 million of low-cost capital to support the acquisition, renovation and preservation of over 2,200 apartment homes in Mecklenburg County, which are housing nearly 6,000 people today. They're adding another $5 million of support for our latest fund, which is expected to preserve another 1,500 apartment homes.

“I can also say with all sincerity, the Housing Impact Fund has no better private sector partner than Atrium,” he stated. “They are creative, as they are generous."

In 2020, Atrium Health partnered with Roof Above, providing a $5 million low-interest loan for an apartment complex offering 341 affordable housing units. Seventy-five units are reserved for participants in Roof Above’s Homeful Housing program, which serves chronically unhoused individuals. An additional 50 units were designated for use by Atrium Health teammates in need of housing security.

During the commissioners meeting, Roof Above CEO Liz Clasen-Kelly shared a story of how housing is impacting one of the agency’s clients that brought the issue home.

“Roof Above just sent out our most recent newsletter, and it shared the story of Miss Angela,” Clasen-Kelly said. “She moved from long-term homelessness into Hill Rock Estates and, from there, she has rebuilt her life. She’s had two years of housing stability, she started a recovery support group on site, she just purchased a car, and now, she’s preparing to go to CPCC (Central Piedmont Community College).”

The Pearl, a promise kept

Collin Lane, executive vice president of professional and support services for Atrium Health and point person for The Pearl innovation district, directly addressed “a false narrative (that) has emerged that doesn’t accurately represent the current plans of the project,” and provided new information on the project as it pertains to the creation of affordable housing.

“As a reminder, we're six months into a 15-year tax increment grant,” he said. “We're barely 3% into the project. We're just getting started with the impact that we will have on the community and are far ahead of the goals that we started with.

“To date, we have received no financial compensation from the TIG — zero,” Lane added. “You'll recall the TIG reimbursement is not taking away from taxpayers. It's a partial reimbursement as part of the new incremental property taxes from The Pearl. The county estimated over the next 20 years it will yield an additional $40 million windfall for the city and county, with another $5 million net gain each year beyond.”

Lane also announced that the initial plans for residential development onsite have been filed by the developer.

“I'm pleased to say that the initial plans for the residential tower were filed by the developer already in November, with plans for them to deliver 5% affordable units on site as part of the project,” he said.

Additionally, he addressed the contribution of property off North Tryon Street to be developed into affordable housing units.

“Separately on North Tryon, we’re contributing an almost $30 million parcel of land — for free — to be developed for affordable housing,” Lane said. “This parcel has been a planned contribution toward affordable housing since 2020.”

The 14-acre parcel is separate from properties in a land swap taking place between Atrium Health and Inlivian. In 2021, Inlivian requested to be the developer of the contributed parcel, given its contiguous nature to its own 16-acre site. Inlivian — not Atrium Health — tied the land contribution to the land swap completion, Lane noted.

“When the land swap is complete, the North Tryon property will be transferred to Inlivian for them to develop affordable housing on the full 28-plus total acre combined tract," Lane said.

That deal is expected to close early next year, pending zoning change approval by the City of Charlotte.

“If, for some reason, the land swap doesn’t occur, we will contribute that land to another developer for affordable housing,” he added.

Health care that begins at home

“We know housing is essential to health,” said Don Jonas, who leads Atrium Health’s work on affordable housing in his role as vice president of social impact. “We embrace the opportunity to support community-led efforts designed to expand affordable housing opportunities and reduce homelessness across Mecklenburg County.”

He added that since 2020, Atrium Health has provided $10 million to support the Housing Impact Fund and noted the health system has committed to an additional $5 million in support to be formally announced in January.

Atrium Health sponsors the H.O.P.E. housing program, which provides stability for our teammates facing housing insecurity.

“I’m very grateful for the H.O.P.E. program. It has allowed me to have a steady place to live,” said Joseph Fuller, a psychiatric technician at Atrium Health Cabarrus. “Just recently, in April, I was granted custody of my three children and that could not have happened without the H.O.P.E. program. Atrium Health has just been very helpful and assisted me to get housed and stay housed. So, I'm very thankful for all they have done for me and my family.”

A prescription for partnership

The speakers at the meeting underscored that lasting progress on affordable housing requires collaboration across sectors. Atrium Health’s approach is rooted in working side-by-side with local organizations, government agencies and community leaders to address complex challenges.

“We work in partnership with the community on these issues,” said Jonas. “Day in and day out, Atrium Health leaders and our teammates are deeply engaged in trying to find solutions to some of our greatest needs in our community.”

This spirit of partnership is evident in every initiative, from housing investments to supportive services, reflecting a shared commitment to building a healthier, more stable future for all.

Looking ahead

Atrium Health’s commitment to affordable housing is a long-term strategy for building a healthier community. We continue to invest in innovative programs, expand partnerships and advocate for policies that address housing insecurity. With new developments on the horizon, including additional affordable units and expanded supportive services, Atrium Health is helping shape a future where stable housing and health care access go together.

As Mecklenburg County continues to grow, we remain focused on creating opportunities for the community to thrive. By leveraging resources and working collaboratively, we are driving meaningful change that extends beyond our hospital walls. Every initiative and partnership reflects a vision for a community where health begins at home.

To view a complete timeline of Atrium Health’s work on affordable housing, visit Atrium Health Affordable Housing.