An Episcopal church in Chapel Hill is helping address the town's affordable housing crisis by working with officials to open three new homes on its property. The Church of the Advocate is working with Pee Wee Homes, a non-profit that builds small homes for needy residents.
Reverend Lisa Fischbeck, the church's vicar, described it as a "moral imperative" for the congregation to get behind this idea.
"People who work and on whose labor we depend within our community, be it the University or the town services... they should be able to live within the community and not have to drive 20, 30 miles to get to work," Fischbeck said.
According to the Town of Chapel Hill, more than half of the population is having difficulty finding housing within their budget.
To help alleviate the affordable housing crisis, Chapel Hill voter passed a $10M Affordable Housing Bond in November.
Students from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and private donors are also assisting with the Pee Wee homes. The single-person homes are expected to open later this spring. The church is holding a public meeting later this month to showcase its plans and encourage other land owners to replicate the idea.
