Community Home Trust delivers housing affordability to diverse populations in partnership with our communities.

Our vision is a world in which barriers are removed for those wanting a home they can afford, where the supply of those homes keeps pace with the demand, and all individuals have long term access to a safe home where they can thrive, work, and grow.

Our work is guided by these core values:

Dedication to our mission

We care about our homeowners, tenants, and the community we share. We seek out new and innovative opportunities and solutions to partner and serve.

Focus on inclusion

We want our organization to reflect our community, and we hold ourselves accountable to building a diverse and inclusive organization. We promise to act on that commitment and respect each other in the process.

Commitment to positive culture

We are committed to excellence in our work, and we invest in each other and our team. Our community and our workplace are safe, encouraging, equitable spaces, and we always support each other. We are open to criticism if it makes us better.

Our Story

In 1991, the Orange County Affordable Housing Task Force created the Orange Community Housing Corporation (OCHC). Over the next ten years and through several iterations, Community Home Trust (CHT) was born. By the time we sold our first home in June 2000, we had already helped create nearly 100 affordable housing opportunities in Chapel Hill.

By the time we marked our 30th anniversary in 2021, we had 332 permanently affordable homes in our inventory in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Our homeowners include nurses, university employees, teachers and others, who serve our community but otherwise could not afford to own a home here. Our tenants are of households earning less than 60% of the area median income; section 8 vouchers are accepted.

How It Works

Permanent Affordability

Through our homeownership program, homes can accrue limited appreciation each year, preserving affordability for future generations while allowing current homeowners to build equity. While Community Home Trust retains title to each property, ownership is conveyed using a renewable 99-year ground lease. Our rental units also remain permanently affordable.

Going Green

In 2015, Community Home Trust launched its Energy Efficiency Initiative. With the help of an anonymous donor and Bank of America Charitable Foundation, we set out to help our homeowners have more energy efficient homes, leave less of a carbon footprint, and build wealth through savings. To date, we have:

  • provided ~235 CHT homes with 10 LED light bulbs each from our partner, Lowe’s Home Improvement
  • insulated the crawlspace under 14 CHT homes
  • invested in the replacement of a home’s appliances

Inclusionary Housing

Most Community Home Trust houses are built by private sector developers who are required to provide a percentage of affordable homes in their developments. These homes are sold to Community Home Trust at prices that are affordable to our buyers.

As a result of local governments’ housing policies, Community Home Trust is the primary provider of affordable homeownership in Orange County. Our homes typically sell at 30% to 50% below the market value. Many Community Home Trust homeowners live close to where they work, and their children attend the best school system in the state.