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'Living in my car for six months' | Affordable housing issues continue to weigh on families

Tayloria Patton says she never imagined a life where the only warmth she'd receive is from her car's engine.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Every night, Tayloria Patton keeps her car engine running. It's not because she's going anywhere – the car is the only source of warmth for her family of three, who have called their vehicle home for the past six months.

"It's just bags on top of bags in that trunk that’s just been sitting there," Patton said.

The mother of two says it's an unfair life for her children, who are 16 and 19. Her oldest was diagnosed with autism, which makes things even more difficult for Patton. 

While the family shivers through winter nights in their car, Charlotte leaders are planning to activate a recently approved $100 million housing initiative. The funding aims to address residential stability, neighborhood affordability and economic mobility. 

Credit: WCNC Charlotte
Tayloria Patton and her two children have been living in her car for six months. She worries their situation won't improve any time soon.

"We are trying to not double what we did last year, but we are reimagining how this money is put to work," a city spokesperson said, telling WCNC Charlotte the city believes there are a lot of "great opportunities" for 2025. 

It's a year Patton and her family will be looking forward to because it's all they have left. 

"I still think we'll still be sitting here in January, February and so on," Patton said. 

City leaders have also been working to preserve funding that may be able to provide more emergency rental assistance or emergency shelters next year. 

If you would like to contribute to the Patton family click here.

Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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