PHOTO | TROY HULL

A $100,000 gift from Andrea and Sean Smith of Charlotte will help residents of Lake Arbor apartments relocate to new housing.

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A Charlotte couple has donated $100,000 to help Lake Arbor apartment residents relocating to new homes.

Andrea and Sean Smith’s gift to United Way of Central Carolinas will go to support residents who received notices to vacate the property starting Aug. 31. Lake Arbor’s owner is shutting down the complex following a series of resident complaints and city code violations related to unsafe living conditions and apartment disrepair.  

The Smiths’ gift goes to United Way of Central Carolinas’ $350,000 Critical Need Relief Fund to help Lake Arbor residents.

“The generosity of Andrea and Sean speaks volumes about their commitment to our community and will assist us in our role to help our partner agencies ensure that Lake Arbor families receive the help they need during this very difficult time,” United Way President and CEO Laura Clark said.

Many residents had no housing options as the first eviction deadline arrived. All Lake Arbor residents must leave by year’s end.

“The issue in our city with affordable housing is impacting so many people,” Sean Smith said. “Hearing about these families being displaced and potentially homeless really hurt our hearts. We want to see families stay together, for kids to stay in school, and for people not to have to worry where they are going to sleep at night.”  

Six United Way partner agencies – Charlotte Family Housing, Community Link, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, The Salvation Army, and Urban Ministry Center – are joining forces to help residents, who are participating in assessments to determine critical needs and eligibility for financial support.

United Way has extended the deadline for donations to the Critical Need Relief Fund through Sept. 7. Nearly 150 gifts totaling $125,000 have been made toward the goal.

To donate to the relief fund, go to https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/HELPCLT or text HELPCLT to 71777 from your mobile device and receive a text to the direct link. For donations by check, call United Way at (704) 372-7170 for details.

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