A new group of townhomes in the Weavers Grove neighborhood in Chapel Hill will be named in honor of Pope Leo XIV, after an anonymous donor made a contribution in honor of the leader of the Catholic Church. Upon their completion, eight new townhomes in the development will be known as “Pope Leo Village.”

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, which has overseen the construction of Weavers Grove, is one of 20 Habitat affiliates across the country which is participating in the initiative. Other cities which will honor Pope Leo include Raleigh, Chicago and Philadelphia.

“We are deeply grateful for this gift and the vision behind it,” said Jennifer Player, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. “Pope Leo’s call to service speaks directly to what we do every day: building homes, building community, and building hope.”

In a release, Orange Habitat said construction of the first three townhomes is scheduled to begin in June and that groundbreaking on the remaining five is scheduled for September. Orange County residents who complete Orange Habitat’s homeownership program will be eligible to purchase the new homes.

The Weavers Grove neighborhood began welcoming its first residents in February. Located off Sunrise Road near East Chapel Hill High School, the neighborhood expects to feature 225 homes upon completion, with 102 of them constructed by Orange Habitat.

“This project gives us a wonderful opportunity to deepen that work in Weavers Grove while rallying our broader community around a shared purpose,” Player said. “We’re particularly excited to engage local young people and faith communities as we bring Pope Leo Village to life.”

 

Featured image via Associated Press/Gregorio Borgia

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