Newsletters

Dear Subscriber,

In our newsletter last week, I told you about the significant amount of growth we’re expecting in our inventory in the next five years. Leading an organization on the cusp of all that growth is exciting – and at times, it can feel a little overwhelming, too, if I’m honest. But as we approach this season of challenges and opportunities, there are three things I’ve been thinking about a lot lately that have encouraged and excited me – and I want to tell you about them, too.

First, and perhaps most importantly, is the degree to which our organization is built on partnerships. Nothing we do at CHT is done alone – and I’m so grateful for that!

A really good recent example is a project in progress right now at our townhomes on Legion Road in Chapel Hill. Homeowners were having some issues with moisture in their crawlspaces, and thanks to the partnership between CHT, our HOA at Legion Road, and the Town of Chapel Hill’s provision of CDBG funding, we are getting that problem fixed. This is so important our current homeowners at Legion Road, our future homeowners there, and the state of our affordable housing stock in Chapel Hill generally. Take a few minutes to read about the project in our latest blogpost.

Speaking of partners, the second thing that really encourages me in this season is our Board of Directors. What fantastic partners they are!

Our current Board comprises 11 members, four of whom are CHT residents. Having the voice of these residents in leadership couldn’t be more important to me, as they bring the perspective of lived experience to every decision we make as a Board. In addition, these four Board members are also dedicated servants of their communities and experts in their fields, as are the other seven members of the Board. Together, our Board brings together a wealth of expertise: in community development, housing policy, finance, education, real estate, and other subject areas. They are smart, dedicated to our community, and committed to our work together. And did I mention they’re serving as volunteers? I couldn’t be more grateful for them.

Recently, we released a blogpost introducing our new Board President, Brika Eklund, as well as four new Board members. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read it and learn more about why Brika is just the right Board member to lead our team into this exciting period of growth. As Brika said in her interview, our team is spending a lot of time asking, “How do we use 2024 and 2025 to be really well prepared […] to run the best affordable housing inventory in partnership that we can? We want the region to continue to have a lot of strong affordable housing options for people in perpetuity.”

Finally, all this growth we’re anticipating is expensive, and with our local affordable housing crisis continuing to grow, it’s important that our local municipalities continue to prioritize high-impact investments and strategies that promote the creation and preservation of affordable housing. That’s why the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition, of which CHT is a member, is circulating a petition for Chapel Hill Town Council to put an affordable housing bond on this year’s ballot. We’re so grateful for the ongoing work the Town does in affordable housing, and we’re eager to continue to partner with them in that work.

Please take a minute to read the petition and accompanying letter and consider adding your name to the petition. You don’t have to live in Chapel Hill to sign!

Thanks for being part of our CHT family, helping us prepare for all the excitement that is to come!

Kimberly Sanchez, Executive Director