Habitat For Humanity Affordable Housing Summit
The Habitat for Humanity of Orange County recently held its “Opening Doors” Affordable Housing Summit in Chapel Hill to discuss housing affordability in the region. Participants included elected officials, university representatives, community members, developers, and nonprofit leaders.
During the panel discussion, speakers delved into key issues, challenges, and solutions related to affordable housing.
One of three panelists, Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International, highlighted the significance of Habitat’s National Advocacy initiatives. He noted that the gap between the cost of building a housing unit and what families can afford is at its highest in modern history.
“There have been a lot of really important and valuable demand-side initiatives to help low-and moderate-income families on affordability,” said Reckford. “But if we keep helping on the demand side and don’t solve the supply side, then you keep driving prices further up.”
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts emphasized UNC’s Carolina North initiative, which is set to advance this year. Currently, Roberts is advocating for the development of Carolina North, a 230-acre satellite campus along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, on the former site of Horace Williams Airport. This mixed-use project will feature academic and research facilities, student and local workforce housing, and spaces for retail, dining, and the performing arts. Only students who are employed by UNC-CH and local workforce families are eligible for new housing on the North Campus.
The first phase will accommodate 2,220 students and provide housing for those employed in Chapel Hill, with groundbreaking anticipated for summer 2027.
Allen Buansi, the Representative for North Carolina House District 56, urged increased engagement with the state delegation. He emphasized that the North Carolina Housing Trust Fund (HTF) should be used to foster public-private development partnerships, enabling Habitat for Humanity and other nonprofits to provide affordable housing. Under the direction of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, HTF serves as the state’s resource for affordable housing development and rehabilitation.
“There are folks who are making less than the area’s median income,” said Buansi. “To those who are making 80%, 60%, and 30% percent, we need to be very intentional about meeting the opportunities to provide housing for them. We must be intentional by providing a mix of housing opportunities for people.”
Orange Habitat’s CEO and president, Jennifer Player ( pictured below in a navy dress), concluded the summit by highlighting that the organization has set a goal to build 38 houses per year. She mentioned that the demand for affordable housing is increasing more rapidly than any single organization can address.
