Chapel Hill voters approved a $10 million bond for affordable housing on Tuesday night.

The bond ran into little opposition after the Chapel Hill Town Council voted to place it on this fall’s ballot.

Affordable housing advocates said leading up to the election that the funds would provide 400 new affordable units and repairs for more than 300 current units.

Susan Levy is the executive director of Orange County Habitat for Humanity and is a member of the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition. She said in an interview before Tuesday’s elections that the funds were desperately needed for projects across Chapel Hill.

“We’re not going to completely solve the affordable housing problem in Orange County or in Chapel Hill with $10 million,” Levy said in October. “It would be great if we could. But we’re going to significantly have an impact on it and without those funds we’re just really backpedaling.”

Levy added that the town relies on those who are often in need of affordable housing.

“Not having affordable housing does have a negative impact on our local businesses, on our neighborhoods, on our healthcare system, on our schools,” she said. “So, it’s not just a problem for people who don’t have affordable housing; it’s really a broader issue that impacts all of us.”

The approval of the bond on Tuesday night will allow the town to solicit projects from affordable housing organizations. The Town Council will ultimately decide on allocating any funding from the bond.

During the 2016 election, Orange County had a $5 million affordable housing bond be approved by voters. Portions of that funding have already been designated for projects across the county.

Related Stories
‹
Checking the Area Housing Inventory - Dec. 11, 2025
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey speaks with Vice President of Advocacy for the Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro Ian Scott, Policy Director for Carolina Forward and Chapel Hill Town Council Member Theodore Nollert, and President of the Orange and Chatham County Association of Realters Randy Voller. They discussed the current housing inventory in the Chapel Hill area, including how much and what type of housing is still missing, and what tools the community has to encourage more housing. They also discussed what they hope to see different in the area's housing market in 2026, and more.
Residents of Chapel Hill's Elliott Woods Apartments Share Concerns of Displacement, Conditions as A Sale Looms
The Elliott Woods Apartments and Chase Park Apartments complexes in Chapel Hill are set to be sold. Tenants are worried about their futures amid poor current conditions.
Chapel Hill Council Approves 300+ New Apartments, Retail Space on S. Elliott Road
The Chapel Hill Town Council approved a conditional zoning request for 200 South Elliott Road, paving the way for a new apartment community.
Chapel Hill Shares Latest Pond Removal, Construction Timeline for Legion Road Housing and Park Project
The Town of Chapel Hill is beginning early stages to drain and remove both the pond and dam at its property off Legion Road.
Chapel Hill Launches $20 Million Affordable Housing Fund With Help From UNC Health
A partnership between the Town of Chapel Hill and the UNC Health system is officially ready to help boost local affordable housing efforts.
Return of Habitat for Humanity CEO Build Provides Chance to Showcase Weavers Grove
The Triangle-area Habitats for Humanity held their CEO Build on Friday at the Weavers Grove neighborhood under construction in Chapel Hill.
Chapel Hill Town Council Approves Affordable Housing Funding Plan
The Chapel Hill Town Council discussed a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action plan and passed an affordable housing project and funding plan during its May 24 meeting at Chapel Hill Town Hall. Here is an overview of the two agenda items on affordable housing from the meeting. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan […]
Chapel Hill Town Council Approves Senior Housing Development on Legion Road
The Chapel Hill Town Council passed a resolution approving a three-story affordable housing development project on Legion Road.
Chapel Hill Town Council Discusses Petitions, Parking Project, and Advisory Boards
The Chapel Hill Town Council met to hear public petitions, increase funding for a parking deck project, and address advisory board rules.
Chapel Hill Town Council Talks Affordable Housing and Capital Projects
The Chapel Hill Town Council discussed affordable housing strategies and capital projects during its work session on February 14.
›