The Chapel Hill Town Council met last week and agreed to purchase four condominium units at Ashley Forest for minimal cost from CASA, a Raleigh-based non-profit organization dedicated to developing rental housing for homeless veterans and people with disabilities.

Mayor Pam Hemminger says the condominiums will be used as affordable rental housing to low-income households.

“They’re going to be part of our transitional housing program though; right now we’re working toward people who can transition from public housing to the next level up and save up some money toward the next level in home ownership.”

The council authorized use of the Affordable Housing Fund to pay off the balance of the mortgage on the property and for renovation expenses up to $65,000.

During the meeting, the council also began conversations regarding the allocation of the town’s annual Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD.

Hemminger says it’s important to have plans in place for the funds.

“Some of these dollars we have to spend in a certain time frame and you’re always looking for that project that fits the parameters in order to spend the money in the time limit that you’re given to spend, and we have a couple forward so we’re excited about that.”

According to Hemminger, the federal government has been cutting back on those types of funds.

“That is very concerning because we use those dollars to help run part of our public housing program; we use it for partnering with our partners to leverage to get more affordable housing units. We are trying to come up with our own strategic plans so that we’re not so heavily reliant on those dollars.”

There is still a shortage of affordable housing units – estimated at 2,000 by Hemminger – but the town is on target this year with a strategic plan of adding 80 units per year.

The council will hold a second public forum in March of 2018 and plan an estimated program for the funds based on the 2017 through 2018 allocation of $380,000.

Program plans will be submitted to HUD in May of 2018, and the department will then notify the town in the spring of the 2018-2019 allocation of funds.

Related Stories
‹
CASA Reviewing Options for Affordable Housing Project in Chapel Hill, Carrboro
Leaders of a local non-profit focused on affordable housing are regrouping after missing out on a federal tax credit this year that would have helped a project straddling the Chapel Hill – Carrboro line move forward. CASA received approval from the two municipalities this spring to rezone a now-vacant property in hopes of establishing a […]
Local Government Meetings: October 19-23, 2026
This week in local government: affordable housing proposals on Rogers Road and Old Lystra Road, and a public hearing on Chapel Hill's LUMO.
The Morning News: Election Approaching, Stolen Car Crashing - New Cradle Opening?
Get-out-the-vote efforts are underway for the 2026 election - including a concert at the site Cat's Cradle is developing as a third venue.
The Morning News: Faith Hedgepeth Trial, Affordable Housing, UNC Football
In today's news: the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial continues, and a local nonprofit cuts the ribbon on four affordable homes.
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.
Groundbreaking for Chapel Hill's Homestead Gardens Marks Milestone for Significant Affordable Housing Project
In a mulched clearing at the edge of the woods on Mar. 27, dozens of people donned hard hats and waited their turns to take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the future Homestead Gardens neighborhood. There are so many stakeholders involved that people were split up by organization to come take turns […]
'Together is The Only Path Forward': Orange County's Habitat for Humanity Hosts Affordable Housing Summit
Amid a shortage of affordable housing – both locally and nationally – the Orange County chapter of Habitat for Humanity recently held a summit to discuss how leaders can collectively aim to better address the issue.
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.
›