UNC Students Build Townhomes in Chapel Hill

Volunteers are working on a new development to address housing needs for residents in Orange County.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Financial Aid

UNC Students Build Townhomes in Chapel Hill

Live Poll

Do you support prioritizing non-profit housing projects to help address affordability in your local community?

UNC students are contributing to the construction of eight new townhomes at the Pope Leo Village project in Chapel Hill. The project held its kickoff on September 12, 2026.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to address local housing needs by providing affordable options for those who live or work in Orange County. Habitat for Humanity ensures housing payments remain capped at 30 percent of a participant's monthly income.

Participants in the Habitat for Humanity program must contribute 275 hours of sweat equity. Housing payments for the homes are restricted to a maximum of 30 percent of a resident's monthly income.

The players

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

This non-profit organization manages local housing projects and helps provide affordable homeownership opportunities for low-to-moderate-income families.

Builders Guild

This group of student volunteers works to provide labor and construction assistance on housing projects in the local area.

Jasmine Gray

She is a participant in the Habitat for Humanity program who successfully closed on a home in the Weavers Grove neighborhood.

BuildSense

This construction firm based in Durham specializes in building homes and collaborated on the project for Jasmine Gray.

The details

Volunteers from the Builders Guild gain hands-on construction experience while assisting Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. The program requires participants to live or work in the local area to qualify for home ownership.

Jasmine Gray was accepted into the housing program in 2024.
BuildSense completed construction of a home for Jasmine Gray in March 2025.
Jasmine Gray closed on her home in the Weavers Grove neighborhood on August 8, 2025.
The Pope Leo Village project held its kickoff on September 12, 2026.
A student volunteer was observed framing a wall on September 26, 2026.

Culture Shift

The project follows the established Habitat for Humanity sweat equity model, which prioritizes participant investment through labor. This approach reflects a broader shift toward community-driven solutions in the local housing market.

Residents of Orange County can benefit from the expanded availability of homes with capped monthly payments. Those interested in participating must be prepared to commit 275 hours of sweat equity to the program.

The takeaway

The townhome project demonstrates how collaborative volunteer efforts can provide sustainable housing solutions for local workers. Participants benefit from long-term financial stability through income-adjusted housing payments.