Officials from the United States Department on Housing and Urban Development are scheduled to visit Chapel Hill on Wednesday.
This comes after the town graded out at 52 out of 100 possible points during a semiannual evaluation of the town’s public housing by the federal agency in late 2017. The score left Chapel Hill in the “Troubled Performer” category of HUD rankings.
The letter and scheduled visit from HUD led to what town manager Roger Stancil described as “rumors” in an email to the Town Council.
“We know no basis for the rumors that HUD will take over our housing department or the rumor that the Town has known of this possible outcome but has sat on remedies [because] it welcomes the designation so it can get out of public housing management,” Stancil wrote.
Town staff wrote that it was believed that three factors led to the low score from HUD:
-
Transference of tenants from Trinity Court because of its condition leaving 40 units vacant
-
Audit irregularities that have since been cleared up by our staff accountant
-
Failure to disburse 100% of all grant funding before its disbursement end date.
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said that all of the town’s grant funding had not been spent as of the HUD evaluation visit because the town was working to move residents out of the soon-to-be-renovated Trinity Court apartments and into new public housing options, which also led to the high number of vacant apartments at Trinity Court.
“This was just a timing issue,” Hemminger said. “This one will be resolved very quickly. Again, in order to do these kinds of renovations, we had to get these families out of there.”
Hemminger also said that there was no truth to the “rumors” that HUD would be taking over the town’s public housing.
“There’s been concern that HUD was going to come over and take over the project,” Hemminger said. “That’s not what they’re coming over to do. They’re coming over to verify that we still have the funds to do the project – we just didn’t draw them down in the time frame; that we are going to do the project – we have everything ready to go. Again, it was timing.”
Town staff said that HUD officials had been scheduled to come to Chapel Hill on three occasions since receiving the “Troubled Performer” designation but that all three had been canceled due to inclement weather. The visit is part of HUD’s quarterly visits to sites, according to the town, and is to advise staff on new reporting software and is not related to the recent designation.
The email to the Town Council said that crews had embarked on “an ambitious renovation schedule for the next 6 to 8 weeks to encumber much of the funding designated” from previous fiscal year grants.
The town will be required to submit a recovery plan to HUD.
The Town Council is also scheduled to receive a consultant’s report on the town’s Public Housing Master Plan at a meeting on May 2.
Related Stories
‹

Clerical Error Blamed for Chapel Hill 'Troubled Performer' Public Housing DesignationOfficials from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development visited Chapel Hill last week after the town’s public housing was graded at 52 out of 100 possible points during a semiannual evaluation. That score left Chapel Hill in the “Troubled Performer” category of HUD rankings and caused concern among town staff and elected […]

2 Chapel Hill Affordable Housing Projects Given Big Financial BoostsTwo Chapel Hill affordable housing projects recently earned substantial financial help: one through a donation, another through a tax credit. Habitat for Humanity of Orange County announced Monday its Weavers Grove project is receiving a $1 million donation from Oak Foundation — an international organization with its U.S. headquarters in Chapel Hill. The group shares […]

Chapel Hill's Public Housing Plan: Improve Existing UnitsChapel Hill’s public housing program presented its updated master plan during the town council’s meeting on April 10. It’s part of Chapel Hill’s larger strategic plan for improving housing options across all income levels. Chapel Hill’s public housing population makes up about two percent of the town’s residents. But out of the 336 units available, […]
![]()
Congressman Price Holds Listening Session in Chapel HillRemarks made by US Representative David Price on the state of the nation drew thunderous applause during a community listening session held in the auditorium of East Chapel Hill High School. “It’s a time that, I think it’s fair to say, none of us have ever experienced in our country’s history — a time of […]
![]()
The 5:00 News - Affordable Housing, Mark Bell, Athletic Department Shake-UpThe Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we learn of a new housing development on the East side of town, and why some members of the council did not vote in favor of the project. We also hear from Hillsborough Mark Bell on something he's proud of from his first 18 months as mayor. We hear from Bubba Cunningham on the revamping of the UNC Athletic Department, and more.

Celebration of July 4 to Alter Local Government Services in Orange CountyThe celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what will and won’t be happening that week: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday. Residential trash pickup will not be affected. Commercial trash will […]

Chapel Hill Council Approves Multifamily Housing Project Near Durham Limits with Split VoteThe Chapel Hill Town Council recently approved a project that could bring affordable and multifamily housing to the edge of town.

Here's What You Need To Know Before Chapel Hill's July 4 Firework ShowChapel Hill will once again host a Fourth of July fireworks show at Southern Community Park. Here's what you need to know.
![]()
The 5:00 News - Carrboro Wins All-America City, OCS Summer ProjectsThe Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we learn about Carrboro winning All-America City distinction from the National Civic League, as residents watched from a viewing party at Steel String Brewery. We learn that Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell will seek re-election this fall. We hear from Orange County Schools Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones on summer capital projects, and more. In sports we learn more about UNC Men's Basketball's upcoming schedule, hear from Michael Lombardi on the football roster, and more.
![]()
On Air Today: Kenny Dike Talks Roller Coasters, Beaches, Time OffThe Hill Radio Broadcast and Program Manager Kenny Dike spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, June 30. They discussed Kenny's week off, which included spending time at the beach. They also discussed roller coasters at Carowinds, the upcoming broadcast schedule, and more.
›
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines