Head to the Varsity Theater on Franklin Street Friday night for a free screening of the classic Christmas film “It’s A Wonderful Life”!

Hosted by Chapel Hill’s Community Home Trust and underwritten by Investors Title Company, the free screening has become an annual holiday tradition.

“It’s a classic Christmas story,” says Community Home Trust executive director Robert Dowling. “Most of us have seen parts of the movie on television…(but) most of us have probably never seen the whole movie, nor have we seen it in a movie theater.”

Community Home Trust is a local organization that works to provide affordable housing options for low- to middle-income residents of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. They’ve worked with the two towns to establish an inclusionary zoning ordinance requiring new developments to set aside a certain percentage of housing units as affordable – so they’re able to offer affordable housing even in higher-end developments like Greenbridge and Meadowmont.

Dowling says that mission – to help people find a home – is also a crucial part of “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

“What Jimmy Stewart’s organization does – the Bedford Building and Loan – is provide homes for people,” he says. “They provide financing and help people better their lives and provide stability in their lives – and coincidentally, we do the same thing.”

This is the fifth year Community Home Trust has teamed up with the Varsity Theater to screen “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Doors open at 6:15 Friday evening, and the movie gets underway at 6:45.

The movie is free, but tickets are limited. You can secure your tickets by calling 967-1545.

And to learn more about the Community Home Trust – including some of the homes they have available right now – visit CommunityHomeTrust.org.

Related Stories
‹
On the Porch: Daniele Berman and Kimberly Sanchez - Community Home Trust
This Week: Kimberly Sanchez has been a nonprofit leader for over 15 years, having come to Community Home Trust (CHT) as the former CEO of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida (CLSMF), a nonprofit law firm and legal aid organization, headquartered in Orlando, Florida.  She is a member of the Board of Directors for Dispute Settlement Center, a statewide conflict resolution nonprofit headquartered in Carrboro. She is also a member of the North Carolina Community Land Trust Coalition and a past co-chair of the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition (OCAHC).  Daniele Berman is the Vice President of Strategy and Operations for Community Home Trust. She plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission through strategic planning, effective program execution, and organizational infrastructure development. Daniele has worked in the nonprofit sector for over a decade and was recognized for her work as a “Hometown Hero” by WCHL in 2016. She represents CHT as a member of the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition (OCAHC) and the North Carolina Community Land Trust Coalition (NCCLTC) and has served as a Peer Coach with Nonprofit Marketing Guide
Chapel Hill Council Approves Affordable Workforce Housing Community Along MLK Boulevard
The Chapel Hill Town Council recently unanimously approved a proposed affordable workforce housing community close to downtown.
Community Home Trust Announces New Executive Director and Partnership
The non-profit Community Home Trust has been one of the biggest contributors to the affordable housing community since its establishment. Recently, the organization made two big announcements: a bold partnership and a new executive director. When Community Home Trust bought the Landings at Winmore neighborhood in 2017, it expanded the non-profit’s reach to affordable housing […]
County Commissioners Revise Affordable Housing Policy
Changes to the affordable housing policy in Orange County were approved by the Board of Commissioners last week during a regular meeting. In approving these changes, board members defined affordable housing as any domicile for which the monthly cost of living does not exceed 30 percent of occupant income. Talks on this definition were led […]
Affordable Housing Advocates Promote Orange County Bond
Should you vote yes or no on Orange County's affordable housing bond?
Carrboro Awards $20,000 to Community Home Trust for Affordable Housing
Community Home Trust applied for $20,000 through the Carrboro Board of Aldermen to buy a townhouse in the Whispering Hills subdivision in Carrboro, but not just for any reason. The non-profit is trying to increase permanently affordable housing in Orange County. Assistant to the town manager Nate Broman-Fulks presented the application to the board at […]
Friday, Community Home Trust Is "Opening Doors"
Friday's event at the Carolina Inn will benefit Community Home Trust.
Community Home Trust Fights Affordable Housing Crunch
The Community Home Trust just won a $40,000 award from GSK for its ongoing efforts.
Hillsborough: An Early Look at the Town's Affordable Housing Strategy (Aug. 25, 2026)
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, August 25.
On Air Today: South Creek Update from Beechwood Organization President Steven Dubb
Steven Dubb, the Principal and President of the Beechwood Organization spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, August 18. He discussed the latest news from the South Creek development in the southern portion of Chapel Hill. He talked about the importance of having homes in a lower price range than is typical for Chapel Hill, the value of having 80 acres of nature preserve as part of the development, and what future timelines are for South Creek. He also shared some upcoming milestones, and more.
›