Cary Town Council seeds new housing program, Stable Homes Cary, aimed at keeping citizens in their homes or identifying a path forward when relocation is necessary.
Stable Homes Cary will be administered by Dorcas Ministries, a Cary-based nonprofit, and build on its case management capacity to assist and counsel citizens in crisis.
Cary Town Council allocated funds through 2026 to support Stable Homes Cary and two programs currently administered by Dorcas Ministries: Oasis Utility Bill Program and Play it Forward Scholarship Fund.
Cary, NC – Recognizing the importance of supporting residents in need, the Cary Town Council at its regular meeting last night voted unanimously to establish a new housing program, Stable Homes Cary. The program aims to keep people in their homes, when possible, and identify a path forward when relocation is necessary due to pending redevelopment such as the potential sale and redevelopment of Chatham Estates.
Stable Homes Cary will be administered by lead agency Dorcas Ministries, a Cary-based nonprofit. Stable Homes Cary will scale up Dorcas’ current program, building case management capacity to serve more citizens in need.
“As our community continues to grow and develop at a rapid pace, Dorcas is humbled and honored to partner with Cary on the Stable Homes program,” said André Anthony, CEO of Dorcas Ministries. “We are grateful for this opportunity to continue to walk alongside our neighbors and help them thrive.” Anthony noted that Dorcas Ministries already administers two existing Cary programs: the Oasis Utility Bill program, assisting residents with utility bill payments, and Play it Forward, which provides scholarships to children interested in Cary’s recreational programming.
To build on the initial commitment of $800,000 approved at last night’s Cary Town Council meeting, continued funding between Cary and Dorcas Ministries was allocated as follows: $500,000 in 2024; $550,000 in 2025; $600,000 in 2026. This allocation will be used to establish Stable Homes Cary, increase Dorcas’ capacity, and administer the Oasis Utility Bill and Play it Forward programs.
“We wanted to create a program based on Dorcas’ case management model aimed at keeping people in their homes whenever possible,” said Cary Housing Director Heather Whelehan. “Stable Homes Cary centers on assisting residents impacted by pressure from the housing market and redevelopment. Supporting our residents through partnerships is the foundation of our Housing Plan and the work we are furthering across the housing continuum.”
Since the adoption of the Cary Housing Plan in 2021, Cary has launched several initiatives including Stable Homes Cary and Healthy Homes Cary. For more on Cary’s multi-pronged approach to providing quality housing programs that enhance and strengthen our community, visit carync.gov/housing.
Located on High House Road just west of downtown Cary, Dorcas has grown since its 1968 inception to 50 staff members and more than 800 volunteers. In partnership with local faith-based and community organizations, Dorcas offers financial and food assistance, emergency housing assistance, job and career training, childcare scholarships, onsite healthcare, and bilingual case management. In 2023, Dorcas served more than 6,000 residents—or 2,200 families—who were rent-burdened and/or at risk of homelessness. To apply for consideration to benefit from Stable Homes Cary, visit https://dorcasnc.org/how-we-help/assistance.
Watch March 14 Council Meeting
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