New Affordable Rental Community Developed in Burlington, NC

The Need for Affordable Housing

The number of individuals that cannot afford a comfortable and safe place to call home has reached a record high. The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that there is currently a shortage of more than seven million affordable homes for the nation’s more than 10.8 million extremely low-income households. The burden of this shortage is far-reaching and has a lasting economic and social impact on individuals and communities. The development of affordable housing benefits the economy and helps communities thrive. Research shows that affordable housing encourages social connection, reduces overcrowding, attracts businesses with job opportunities, and lowers crime rates.

Project Overview

Amberly Trace Apartments

By The Numbers

Amberly Trace Apartments is a newly constructed affordable housing community located in Burlington, NC. In the Primary Market Area for the development, renter households comprise 46.96% of all households, highlighting the need for additional affordable rental communities. The property comprises 80 one–, two–, and three-bedroom units, ranging in size, and was designed to serve households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Household Income.

Developed by the experienced team at Taft-Mills Group and professionally managed by Excel Property Management, Ambery Trace contains four three-story walk-up buildings and one standalone community center. Within the community building, residents have access to a variety of supportive amenities, including a spacious community room for gatherings and events, on-site laundry facilities, a fitness center to promote health and wellness, and a computer room to enhance digital access and educational opportunities.

Project Impact

Each unit at Amberly Trace is outfitted with a wide range of modern, energy-efficient features that enhance daily living. Residents enjoy electric ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, and washer/dryer connections, allowing for comfortable home management. Vice President of Taft-Mills Group, Tristan Williams, said of the property: "Amberly Trace represents a unique opportunity that developed 80 units of much-needed affordable/workforce housing for residents of Burlington. In addition to providing rents that are affordable within the market, the site is well located within walking distance of various amenities, which will provide residents with a valuable resource that will help promote a more active lifestyle."

Amberly Trace is more than just a place to live — it’s a community intentionally built to support families in reaching their goals, improving their quality of life, and fostering long-term stability. By providing affordable, high-quality housing with robust resident amenities, Amberly Trace Apartments is making a meaningful impact on Burlington’s housing landscape and providing families with safe, affordable housing for years to come.

What is LIHTC?

Created by Congress as part of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) generates private capital investment used to finance the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing for households earning on average 60 percent or less of the area median income. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, the housing tax credit is "widely regarded as the most successful housing production and preservation program in the nation's history." Since being enacted, the LIHTC program has helped develop more than 3.5 million affordable housing units.

In addition to providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for working-class families and seniors on limited incomes, the economic impact of the LIHTC program is visible in communities throughout the country. The development of affordable housing increases spending and employment in the local economy. Moreover, affordable housing can affect an employer's ability to attract and retain employees. LIHTC investment plays a significant role in community revitalization, which in turn can improve economic opportunities for local residents.

Who is CAHEC?

CAHEC is a community development organization based in Raleigh, NC, and Columbia, SC, that offers housing and life-changing opportunities to residents throughout its Southeast and Mid-Atlantic footprint. CAHEC's product areas include investing in low-income housing tax credits, historic tax credits, new markets tax credits, and renewable energy credits. Additionally, CAHEC provides loan programs, wellness and education initiatives for residents, affordable housing development, and property management services.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider