Past Newsletters
Dear Subscriber,
I’m Ian, the Property Manager at Community Home Trust.
My job is to make sure CHT homes are up to our standards and in good condition. For an existing home that is getting ready for the market, I work with homeowner-sellers, home inspectors, and contractors to get the house ready. I make judgment calls between wear-and-tear and something that requires repair. If it’s a new place, I work with CHT’s Sales Team to help the developer-builder learn about us and what we do. Then I work with our buyers to help them understand that buying a home and maintaining it are different things.
In the eight years I’ve worked at CHT, I’ve learned a lot about that difference. Owning a home means spending time and money on maintenance and repairs, and this is another place my partnership with our homeowners is important. Don’t feel like crawling under your house or up in the attic? I’ll come do that for you. I help our homeowners troubleshoot repairs and put them in touch with an expert to get the work done. If the problem is one of the handful of major repairs covered by CHT’s innovative Stewardship Program, I administer the program so homeowners can get those repairs done. I try to take some of the mystery and anxiety out of things to help our homeowners keep their homes affordable and in great shape.
At Community Home Trust, we prioritize building ongoing relationships with our residents, beyond just the transactional work of buying and selling houses — and that’s a big part of what I do.
I know I’m so lucky my job is to support people. I get to help people find stability, plant roots, and invest in themselves. Buying a home is the biggest purchase most of us ever make, and it’s a privilege to partner with new homebuyers as they make that purchase and steward it. Until the time comes that affordable housing is unnecessary, CHT will be here trying to make it happen for whoever we can – and I’m grateful every day to be part of that team.
In partnership,
Ian Morse, Property Manager
Development Updates
We are continuing to keep our eye on Bridgepoint, a KB Home community in which we will have five brand-new townhomes when the neighborhood is complete. We are especially excited to learn more about their upcoming grand opening — we’ll let you know as soon as it’s scheduled!
Information about Bridgepoint is now available on our website, and we’ll continue to update that page as work continues at the site. We’ve also launched a blog series about how a house in Bridgepoint becomes a CHT home. You can read the first post in the series here.
If you are interested in purchasing a home in Bridgepoint from CHT, it’s important to apply to our program as soon as possible. We will not have a separate application process for Bridgepoint, and CHT sales will not be handled through KB Home. As with all our other home sales, our Bridgepoint homes will be sold to applicants already on our CHT applicant list.
New on the Blog: Coffee and Conversation with Camille
On Sunday, March 19, Chapel Hill Town Council member and former CHT staff member Camille Berry met with CHT residents to talk about how and why to engage with local government. Over coffee and muffins (thanks, Caribou Coffee!), residents asked questions and shared their concerns, and Camille provided insight and encouragement about ways all citizens can make sure their voices are heard.
Congratulations, Kimberly!
Our Executive Director, Kimberly Sanchez, has been elected to the Board of the Dispute Settlement Center.
The Dispute Settlement Center’s mission is to promote and bring about the peaceful settlement of disputes and to prevent the escalation of conflict through mediation, conciliation, facilitation, and training. Founded in 1978 in Carrboro as the first community mediation center in North Carolina, they now serve nearly 3000 people each year. They offer services to the entire community without regard to ability to pay.
In the Community
Deputy Director Caroline Veloso Karras and Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator Ivelisse Mercado had a great time at the UNC Total Wellbeing Expo in March!
How Does The Landings Garden Grow?
With your help!
Our residents at The Landings at Winmore, our 58 permanently affordable rental units in Carrboro, are building a community garden — and they need your support! You can volunteer to help on the garden workday on 4/19 at 4pm, or you can make a donation to help cover the cost of supplies!
Want to volunteer? Email Ivelisse Mercado at imercado@communityhometrust.org. To donate, click the button or text LANDINGSGARDEN to 44-321.
Upcoming Education Opportunities
CHT Orientation: Everyone is welcome to attend this in-depth introduction to our program in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Conducted in a hybrid format — in person and Zoom options available. Next session: May 18, 6 p.m. Register here.
Homebuyer Education: This 8-hour class is offered in-person in our office (105 Conner Drive, Suite 1000, Chapel Hill) and gives potential buyers the tools to navigate the home-buying process. Completion of this class is a requirement of the program and most lenders, and attendance for the whole session is required to receive the certificate. This class is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Next session: June 3, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Supplemental live sessions are also available for those who have attended an online program. Contact Program Coordinator Deja Gilmore at dgilmore@communityhometrust.org for details and to register.
Home Maintenance: Open to CHT homeowners only and conducted via Zoom. Discuss the major systems of a home, typical maintenance, troubleshooting, and potential expenses. This also is an opportunity to review the CHT Stewardship program. Contact Property Manager Ian Morse at imorse@communityhometrust.org for more information.
Lunch and Learn: If you want to learn more about Community Home Trust and our land trust model in a casual setting, this is the place for you! Join us for free coffee and bagels at a lunch and learn session in our office. Our next session will be held on June 16 at 11:30 a.m. Register here.
Recommended Reading
“Appraisal Bias Is the Fair Housing Issue of the Day,” Ira Goldstein, Gregory D. Squires, and Anthony Phillips, Shelterforce, 4/6/23.
“An Expanding Focus on Affordability,” Connie Gentry, Triangle Business Journal, 4/7/23.
“Community land trusts are providing a solution to gentrification,” Simon Rios, NPR, 4/923/23.
