Mary Carr has been appointed as the new Director of the City of Concord Housing Department, according to an announcement from City Manager Lloyd Payne. Carr brings more than 15 years of experience in neighborhood development and community collaboration to her new role.
Carr began working for the City of Concord in 2018 as Community Development Manager. During her tenure, she led several neighborhood revitalization projects, including securing funding for the ClearWater Ceramics Center and launching the Reimagine McGill Project, which aims to address food insecurity and support small businesses.
In recent efforts, Carr’s team worked with local nonprofits and Rider Transit to create a farmer’s market at Gibson Mill Market, providing free transportation for residents in Logan and Gibson Village neighborhoods. She also leads the Cabarrus/Iredell/Rowan HOME Consortium, a tri-county initiative supporting affordable housing across ten municipalities. Since joining the city, Carr has overseen construction of ten new affordable homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, with two more underway.
“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.”
Starting November 10, Carr will manage the city’s Public Housing Program, which provides safe and affordable housing for hundreds of individuals and families. The department oversees 174 public housing units and connects 569 recipients of Housing Choice Vouchers with rental assistance.
Carr’s commitment to connecting people with resources began nearly three decades ago through work helping veterans access benefits. “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.”
Carr holds an associate degree in accounting from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Pfeiffer University. Originally from Salisbury, North Carolina, she lives in Spencer with her husband, their two rescue dogs, her parents (and their dog), while also being a stepmother and enjoying time spent outdoors.
