Corporate landlord housing refers to residential units, occupied by tenants but owned by an institutional investor rather than an individual. Previous research explores the impact this housing trend has had on disadvantaged communities. However, little can be said regarding the role they play in ameliorating climate pollution despite their recent popularity. Given the growing concern for threats of climate change, how these new units are built matters for reducing sprawl, greenhouse gas emissions and urban heat island effects. This study seeks to pinpoint where corporate landlord housing is most prominent and explore climate adaptation indicators that are taken into consideration with the development of new single-family homes (attached and detached). Charlotte has no existing analysis of corporate landlord housing in regards to it mitigating climate pollution. 

Using GIS, visual surveys and numerical assessments of the characteristics of Charlotte neighborhoods, we provide insights regarding whether these units are growing in a manner that addresses climate change. 

Developed through literature review and case study analysis, we provide effective climate adaptation measures for Charlotte, NC, focusing on urban heat island effect and greenhouse gas emissions. This list is non-exhaustive and offers direction for future research to assess climate adaptation. 

Decreased CO2 emissions, increases shaded walkways

Percentage of trees covering the entire neighborhood profile area 

Less car dependency/ decreases need for sprawl/ decreases greenhouse gas emissions

Scored out of 100 using walkscore.com

Less car dependency/decreases need for sprawl/ decreases greenhouse gas emissions

Scored out of 100 using walkscore.com

Less car dependency/decreases greenhouse gas emissions 

Scored out of 100  using walkscore.com

Less greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy use 

Identified count using a visual survey

Less greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy use 

Identified count using Google Earth 

Less impervious surfaces, mitigation for increased flash flash flooding and runoff 

Identified count using Google Earth 

Data from The Charlotte Observer and NC OneMap was geocoded by zip code to yield distribution maps (Dukes & Newcomb, 2022). This was compared with total housing data by neighborhood, revealing the five major corporate landlord housing concentrations outlined in black above. 

Many of these units are located in a sprawled pattern outside of the city, in areas that are typically high minority and low income. There was little presence of corporate landlord housing in the “wedge” of Charlotte that are historically white/ high income, where many residents own their own homes. A pattern emerges where attached homes (e.g., townhomes) are concentrated closer to the city center, while detached homes (e.g., single-family homes, 98.5%) are scattered. The majority of these developments being spread out as such contributes to sprawl and has potential to increase car dependency and greenhouse gas emissions. The “Urban Heat Island” effect is perpetuated by this development sprawl, which contributes to global temperature changes that therefore create more intense storm events and leave Charlotte at risk for dangerous flash flooding incidents (Kurki-Fox et al., 2022;Opportunity Insights, p. 11, 2020). 

Subdivisions from each of the top five corporate landlord concentrated neighborhood profile areas (NPAs) from the purple map above were surveyed to assess the indicators and subsequent demographic data. The scores paint a picture of a car dependent, suburban arrangement given the low walkability, bikeability and transit scores found for each subdivision using Google Earth and Maps. 

The demographics of these areas include both majority Black and White residents, however our table indicates higher annual income rates for the White majority population NPAs (Highland Creek and Steele Creek NPAs). Hardwood Lane, Silverwood, and Steele Creek have the lowest walkability scores (0-3 out of 100), indicating limited pedestrian infrastructure and high car dependence. All NPAs are deemed "car dependent" by the Walk Score tool. Hardwood Lane has the lowest bikeability (13/100) and also notably contains a higher percentage of People of Color with low annual incomes. For reference, the center of Uptown Charlotte has a walkscore of 95/100. In contrast, the corporate landlord owned units tend to be in the outer city limits, often located in newer extensions of previously existing neighborhoods (Opportunity Insights, p. 11, 2020). There are commonly subdivisions that contain a few rental corporate landlord housing owned homes. 

The examination of Charlotte's subdivisions reveals poor rankings for single-family detached homes in climate adaptation indicators. The top corporate landlord housing neighborhoods are spread across the “Arc” of Charlotte, illustrating urban sprawl and its associated drawbacks. If corporate landlord housing expands in Charlotte, more measures towards climate adaptation must be taken to reduce climate pollution. The City of Charlotte currently does not have a climate-specific action plan but has increased efforts towards tree protection, stormwater control and mixed use zoning (Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance, 2023). Developing a comprehensive climate adaptation plan at the county and city levels could guide future housing including corporate landlord housing  in addressing climate change in future developments. Additional efforts such as improving green transit accessibility and advocating for solar panel adoption are essential for mitigating climate pollution (Charlotte Future, p. 145, 2020: Solar@Scale, 2022;Sullivan, 2023). Promoting non-corporate home ownership and providing technical assistance and loans for retrofitting homes can also enhance accessibility to climate adaptation at the micro-level (e.g., energy efficient appliances, insulated windows, etc.) for future homeowners (Peters, 2023; Samayoa, 2024). With this study, we encourage further GIS analysis and research  to monitor climate adaptation progress and provide evidence-based  recommendations to ways cities like Charlotte can build to accommodate growth while reducing climate pollution.