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Julia and her two children moved into their CHT townhome last fall, and in a short time it has already become full of memories. Recently, she hosted her son’s friends, and in that moment, she realized it truly felt like home. The kids love their rooms, and their pets, a dog and a cat, have settled in happily. Simple routines like walking together to the nearby grocery store have become cherished parts of daily life.

There are still a few finishing touches to add, like art on the walls, but the most important part is already complete. The home is filled with warmth, routine, and the sense of stability Julia worked for over many years to create for her family.

Her journey to homeownership was not quick or easy. Julia has lived in Chapel Hill since 2010, and works as a registered nurse. After her divorce, owning a home on her own felt out of reach. Around 10 years ago, while living in a rental near the CHT office, she first learned about the organization and became inspired by its mission to make homeownership possible for local families.

Julia first applied to the CHT home buying program in 2016, but the right opportunity never quite came together. Still, she held onto the hope that one day it would.

Everything changed in 2024 when she attended a leadership course through the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro. While driving through Rosemary Place in Meadowmont, she felt an immediate connection to the neighborhood. She reached back out to CHT, and this time, everything aligned. From start to finish, the CHT team guided her through the process with patience, care, and encouragement, making what once felt overwhelming feel possible.

Since moving in, she’s been able to host her entire family—her mom, siblings, and more loved ones—in her own home, something she once thought might never happen. She loves the energy of her neighborhood: neighbors out walking and running, children playing nearby, people heading to the gym or stopping to chat along the sidewalk. It feels connected, active, and safe. Most importantly, she and her children no longer feel like they are simply passing through a place. They feel rooted there.

Her children are also beginning a new chapter as they transition into middle and high school in a new district, and Julia feels hopeful about what lies ahead for them—and for herself. What began as a long wait has become the foundation for a future filled with possibility, belonging, and home.