faq
Habitat will complete the infrastructure work on the property using its own resources and sell entitled, buildable lots for the market-rate homes to builders. Habitat has calculated sales revenue based on a conservative estimate of lot values for single–family lots and for condominium lots. The builders, Garman Homes and White Oak Properties, were selected based on their commitment to the vision for the mixed income community. They will build market-rate homes according to the Habitat Weavers Grove plan that was approved by the Town of Chapel Hill, and sell those homes at market prices. The market rate and Habitat homes will be architecturally integrated. There will also be a joint Homeowners Association for both market rate and Habitat homeowners.
Weavers Grove is not just a group of homes – it is a shift in the way we think about strengthening security and opportunity by intentionally building connections in a mixed-income community. The 101 Habitat homes will be owned by people who live or work in Orange County. The remaining market-rate homes will offer new opportunities for Chapel Hill homebuyers, at price ranges lower than today’s median home price. These market-rate homes are also important to our vision for all people to live in safe, decent homes.
Community input is vital for the success of Weavers Grove. From the beginning of the process, Habitat has sought input and incorporated feedback from key stakeholders in the community, including current Habitat homeowners, neighbors of the property, the Habitat Board of Directors, and multiple advisory boards within the Town Chapel Hill. The Town Council approved the plan, unanimously, in June 2020 after several years of planning and public comment. The Housing Advisory Board, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Board, Planning Commission, and Community Design Commission reviewed, amended, and approved the plan through their public application review processes. Throughout the multi-year concept planning period, Habitat worked with professional design and planning firms to ensure community feedback was incorporated into the plan. Community concerns such as zoning, traffic impact, stormwater abatement, and density are addressed in the approved Weavers Grove plan. If future plan changes become necessary, Habitat will continue to work in partnership with the Town Council for all necessary approvals.
Land in Chapel Hill is growing more scarce and more expensive, due in part to the rural buffer that prevents development from expanding outside of town limits. The tract of land is in a high-value location that will be close to work, schools, and transportation for all 238 homeowners in the community. The land plan capitalizes on this value for as many Habitat families as possible, factors in the economics for selling lots to market-rate developers, and achieves the goals for shared community spaces. Habitat is preparing to increase new home construction from 12 homes per year in 2019 to 20 homes per year by 2022.
Shared community space is a key aspect of the Weavers Grove plan. People of different backgrounds, income levels, and ages can interact and form a sense of belonging on the lawns, playgrounds, and pavilion spaces. Weavers Grove amenities will appeal to and serve a diverse homeowner base – fostering neighborly interaction, enabling healthy recreation, and supporting families as they strive for safe, stable environments for their children.
Weavers Grove is a unique neighborhood with a focus on creating a thriving, multi-faceted community that contributes to the vibrant life of Chapel Hill and Orange County. Research shows that growing up in a mixed-income neighborhood makes a profound difference in the lives of children from lower income families – creating enormous positive impact in upward economic mobility, and economic and social benefits for our entire region.
Purchase of market-rate homes will be handled directly through the builders. Garman Homes will be building the single-family homes and White Oak Properties will be building the condominiums.
Weavers Grove is located in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district. Children living in the neighborhood will attend Ephesus Elementary School, Guy B. Phillips Middle School, and East Chapel Hill High School. As part of the development process, the district has confirmed that these schools can accommodate the additional children who will live in Weavers Grove.
Habitat will assist in forming a joint Homeowners Association for the entire community. Habitat has educational programs to help its new homeowners learn to manage homeowner responsibilities.
As with any Habitat home, Weavers Grove Habitat homeowners must qualify for a Habitat mortgage, go through a rigorous screening process, and contribute hundreds of hours of sweat equity in lieu of a down payment. All policies of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County apply to Weavers Grove Habitat homeowners.
The Weavers Grove Capital Campaign began in early 2020 and celebrated it’s completion on May 20, 2023. Nearly 300 donors contributed $8,171,885 toward the campaign, achieving the goal 18 months ahead of schedule.
Select naming opportunities are still available for Weavers Grove. Please contact Vice President of Development Shanell at ssmaw@orangehabitat.org or 919-932-7077 x 218 for more information.
Buying a home at the lower end of the market is difficult in Chapel Hill and becoming harder. According to the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition:
- In Chapel Hill, 75% of existing housing is too expensive for those who fall below 80% area median income (AMI), which is $64,500 for a family of four.
- A minimum wage employee would have to work 141 hours per week to afford the average rent in Chapel Hill.
- In Orange County, more than 40% of households are eligible for most income-based affordable housing, while only 3% of the total housing units in the county are permanently affordable.
- Approximately 13,163 households in Orange County are cost-burdened (earning below 80% of AMI and paying more than 30% in housing), and there are 500 planned units for affordable housing development. This leaves a gap of 12,660 units needed.
Homeownership is out of reach for many working families at many income levels. People who cannot find decent local housing must commute long distances from other counties, or struggle to raise their families in unaffordable, unsafe, substandard homes. For many people — health care workers, medical assistants, government personnel, school bus drivers, restaurant servers, preschool teachers, cleaning staff, and other people whom our community depends on every day — mixed-income communities like Weavers Grove make homeownership a reality.
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County has been working toward the Weavers Grove project for over a decade: acquiring a 32-acre parcel of land in an ideal location located close to public transportation, employment, schools, parks, health care, and shopping; working with local governments to align the vision; and managing financial resources to launch the development. The $7.5M Weavers Grove Campaign is the critical accelerator – we cannot accomplish the vision without philanthropic support.
Our innovative vision is affordable homeownership in a thriving Chapel Hill community of Habitat homeowners and market-rate homebuyers. Weavers Grove creates a new way to live as neighbors in a mixed-income, closely knit community of homeowners.