Mary Carr Named Housing Director

City Manager Lloyd Payne named Mary Carr Director of the City of Concord Housing Department. Carr is a proven leader known for her innovative solutions to some of the most challenging issues facing families today, like access to healthy foods and affordable housing. She has over 15 years of experience in neighborhood development and an extensive track record of bringing people and organizations together to benefit the community and enhance residents' quality of life.

Carr joined the City of Concord in 2018 as the Community Development Manager. She led several successful neighborhood revitalization and rehabilitation projects, like securing funding and bringing to life the ClearWater Ceramics Center. She also launched the Reimagine McGill Project that once complete, will tackle an existing neighborhood food desert and support small business entrepreneurs.

Last summer, Carr's team initiated a new collaborative, community-driven solution to the food access challenges in the Logan and Gibson Village neighborhoods. They formed a partnership with local nonprofit organizations and Rider Transit on a new farmer's market, the Gibson Mill Market, with free transportation for residents. Carr also leads a tri-county housing collaborative - the Cabarrus/Iredell/Rowan HOME Consortium - supporting fair and affordable housing projects across 10 municipalities. Since joining the City, she has also spearheaded the construction of 10 new affordable houses in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, with two additional new construction homes coming soon.

"Mary has been a valuable member of Team Concord for over seven years, and her expansive knowledge of federal housing programs will continue to be invaluable to our community," said City Manager Payne. "I am excited to work alongside of her in her new role as she establishes our Housing Department as a high-performing agency with exceptional service and vibrant communities where residents can thrive."

Beginning Monday, November 10, Carr will assume her new leadership role with the City. As Director, she will manage the City's Public Housing Program that supports hundreds of individuals and families access safe and affordable housing. The City's Housing Department owns and manages 174 public housing units and connects 569 Housing Choice Voucher recipients with rental assistance so they can choose safe, decent housing in the private market while achieving greater stability and self-sufficiency.

Connecting people to the resources and opportunities they need to be successful has been Carr's life-long mission. It began nearly 30 years ago through her work helping veterans access programs and benefits, and it is a mission she is looking forward to carrying on in her new role as Housing Director.

"I have learned many lessons throughout my life, but the most important is to remember that it is not what you say that matters as much as what you do. When someone reaches out seeking help in finding a home, they need much more than just a roof and walls. They need an ear to listen, compassion to understand, and opportunities to grow," said Carr. "As I step into this new role, my goal is to provide those to our public housing residents and communities across Concord as a whole."

A graduate of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with an associate degree in accounting and Pfeiffer University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Carr has consistently leveraged her education and extensive experience to serve the community.

Carr is originally from Salisbury, N.C. and currently lives in Spencer, N.C. with her husband and their two rescue dogs. Her parents also now live with her, and she lovingly claims their rescue dog as one of her own. She is a proud stepmom and the youngest of five children. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her parents and doing yard work at her home.