“Viewpoints” is a place on Chapelboro where local people are encouraged to share their unique perspectives on issues affecting our community. If you’d like to contribute a column on an issue you’re concerned about, interesting happenings around town, reflections on local life — or anything else — send a submission to viewpoints@wchl.com.
Renters Are Good Neighbors
A perspective from Michael Parker
There is perhaps no issue in Chapel Hill that gets more attention or is more divisive than the pace of growth and development, particularly in terms of how much housing we’re building. In spite of the facts that between 2010 and 2020 the Town grew at its slowest rate in 120 years and that an outside consultant said that Chapel Hill needs to add housing at a rate at least 35 percent faster than we have been, housing growth is controversial.
A disturbing undercurrent to this controversy is the particular distaste expressed by some Town residents for rental apartments and, shamefully, a disdain for and condemnation of the renters who live in them. Comments such as what will happen to the quality of our schools if we have more renters are frequently heard in both public and private settings. I have seen comments online questioning whether renters should have a right to vote on town matters – an attitude more fitting for 18th century England than 21st century Chapel Hill. And an ostensible community leader was quoted in the September 7th edition of the Daily Tar Heel as saying, “We are now a majority of renters, and a minority of homeowners. As we build more apartments that imbalance gets worse – what kind of community is that going to create?”
What kind of community will that create? One that is welcoming, more equitable, vibrant, fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, and accessible to a broad range of folks, not just a fortunate few. A community that I am proud to call home. That’s what kind of community it will create.
We are a college town and we need to provide options for, among others, the post-docs and junior faculty who are not yet in a position to own. We need to provide options for the entrepreneurs, many of whom are recent UNC graduates, who are trying to get their companies off the ground. And we need to provide options for the increasing number of folks who contribute so much to our community in so many ways, but whose employers simply do not pay them enough to buy.
You may be thinking that something about this has touched a nerve — and you would be correct. My parents lived the entirety of their married lives – some 44 years – as renters. That was a choice they made. As far as I can tell they were valuable and valued members of the communities in which they lived. My mother, in fact helped organize our community to address issues with the city.
I, of course, grew up in rentals and did not own my residence until I was 33. I flatter myself that I am and have been a fairly decent resident of the places in which I have lived.
This is not to minimize the benefits of ownership in any way. It has been and remains the number one means by which families can accumulate wealth, wealth that can be passed on to future generations. And it also can create a level of stability in housing costs which rentals do not. It is truly unfortunate that many folks who would like to own, have not been able to and cannot today. Historically, in many cases, it was caused by redlining, restrictive deed covenants, and other racially discriminatory practices. Today, it is caused mainly, but not exclusively, by high prices and inadequate incomes.
To be clear: it is my hope that Chapel Hill will provide a variety of ownership options for all those who wish to buy. It is also my hope that we will provide a variety of rental options for those who wish to – or need to – rent.
But to demonize and denigrate neighbors who are renters – neighbors who care about and contribute to our community — either by choice or by circumstance, is reprehensible. I hope that as we continue our discussions about housing in Chapel Hill, we can rationally discuss the actual issues and not single out for derision good people who are and will continue to be valuable members of our community.
“Viewpoints” on Chapelboro is a recurring series of community-submitted opinion columns. All thoughts, ideas, opinions and expressions in this series are those of the author, and do not reflect the work or reporting of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com.
