CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (March 27, 2026) — Community leaders, housing advocates, and local partners gathered today to celebrate the groundbreaking of Homestead Gardens, a new affordable housing development that will expand access to affordable homes and address the growing need for inclusive, community-centered development in Chapel Hill.

Located on approximately 14 acres of Town-owned land along Homestead Road, Homestead Gardens is envisioned as a flagship [affordable residential community. In 2017 the Town Council voted to designate the parcel for affordable housing development as part of a new strategy to use Town-owned land to help increase the local affordable housing supply. Plans for the development include approximately 87 homes ranging from 1-bedroom apartments to 4-bedroom townhomes, designed to ensure long-term affordability, support economic diversity, and provide more residents with safe, secure housing.

The development responds to the nationwide affordable housing crisis and Chapel Hill’s immediate need for quality, accessible homes. In addition to homes, the development will provide a variety of amenities for its residents, including a greenway trail, basketball court, natural surface trails, a playground, gazebo, and a community room open for use by all residents. By placing residences near essential services, transit options, and employment centers, the project ensures practical access for residents while fostering community engagement, sustainability, and connections to Chapel Hill’s greenway and pedestrian networks.

“Homestead Gardens reflects what’s possible when communities intentionally invest in housing that serves people across income levels,” said Dan Levine, Director of Real Estate at Self-Help. “At Self-Help, our mission is to create and protect economic opportunity. This project aligns directly with that mission by expanding access to stable, affordable homes and building a foundation for long-term financial and community well-being.”

Housing affordability remains a critical challenge in Chapel Hill and across Orange County, where rising housing costs have increasingly pushed working families, seniors, and essential workers out of the communities where they live and work. By providing a range of housing types for both homeownership and rental at affordable price points, Homestead Gardens is designed to help address these pressures while fostering a mutually supportive, inclusive community.

The groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from Chapel Hill Mayor Jessica Anderson, David E. Price, Former Congressman, Dr. Elisabeth Johnson, Director & Ashley Ambrose, Director of Residential Services, UNC Horizons Program, and Kimberly Sanchez, President & CEO, Community Home Trust, each highlighting the importance of collaboration across local and state partners to address North Carolina’s housing affordability crisis.

Homestead Gardens is an exciting project for the Town and our partners,” said Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson.  We are pleased that work is getting underway on these new homes and look forward to welcoming the many residents who will call this new community home,” said Mayor Jessica Anderson.

Homestead Gardens is made possible through a collaborative development model that leverages public investment, nonprofit expertise, and mission-driven partnerships to maximize long-term affordability and community benefit.

Development Partners:

• Town of Chapel Hill
• CASA
• Community Home Trust
• Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, NC
• Self-Help Ventures Fund

Design and Construction Partners:

• Thomas & Hutton
• Progressive Companies
• Southway Builders Inc.

Together, these partners are working to deliver housing that not only meets today’s affordability needs but also supports environmental sustainability, community engagement, and long-term economic opportunity.

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