Brent Torstrick Counsels Roof Above in Purchase of Hotel for Affordable Housing

Charlotte nonprofit Roof Above has closed a deal to purchase a hotel in southwest Charlotte to use as affordable housing. Robinson Bradshaw attorney Brent A. Torstrick served as pro bono real estate counsel in the transaction. The total project cost is estimated at $12 million.

The 88-unit hotel will serve an immediate need this winter as emergency shelter for women and families, and renovations are planned for the summer to transform the hotel into permanent supportive housing. The transaction comes at a crucial time as colder temperatures have arrived and many of the area’s traditional support programs have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. When the transformation is complete, the facility will not only be used as an affordable housing facility, but will also provide on-site case management and medical care for people who have experienced chronic homelessness.

Roof Above was formed through the 2019 merger of Urban Ministry Center and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, two nonprofit organizations that worked for decades to combat homelessness in Charlotte. Robinson Bradshaw also served as pro bono counsel in that merger.