County housing staff outline supply‑side strategies and financing leverage as affordable‑housing demand grows

Chatham County housing staff presented the first part of a three‑part housing update on July 21, outlining supply‑side strategies to increase affordable housing options across the income spectrum and describing recent local initiatives.

Jason Smith, Housing Director for Chatham County, and Jamie Andrews, Housing Officer, told the board the county created a housing department about a year ago and has pursued multiple approaches including partnerships with developers, the housing trust fund, preservation and repair programs, and coordination with municipalities and nonprofit partners.

Andrews said one recent development produced 84 affordable rental units that target households in the low‑income range (roughly $35,000–$70,000), and the county is pursuing comparable opportunities by layering federal and state resources with county subsidy. The housing trust fund contribution of about $200,000 over two years helped attract almost $1.5 million in outside funding for home repairs and preservation work; staff characterized that as roughly a seven‑to‑one leverage ratio.

Between 2022 and 2024, staff said the county repaired about 90 owner‑occupied homes using multiple funding sources (Duke Energy Foundation, USDA, Housing Finance Agency) to address deferred maintenance and make units safe for older residents, veterans and persons with disabilities.

Staff discussed migration and commuting trends that factor into housing demand: net arrivals from other North Carolina counties and other states have higher incomes than current residents in some cases, and a substantial share of residents commute out of Chatham to work in Wake, Durham and Orange counties. Staff noted median family incomes and area median income (AMI) levels have risen (presenters estimated county AMI roughly $100,000–$110,000), which affects the affordability tiers and the target populations for subsidy programs.

Regarding tools, staff highlighted efforts to: (1) include affordable units through negotiated developer agreements and fee waivers; (2) support new ownership opportunities through layered subsidy and developer contributions; (3) preserve stock via repair programs and targeted grants; (4) coordinate with municipalities (Pittsboro, Siler City, Goldston) on incentives and technical assistance; and (5) explore accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and reduced parking as incentives tied to the unified development ordinance (UDO). Staff said federal and state funding typically favors multifamily projects, but county efforts also reach single‑family and smaller “mom‑and‑pop” landlords to expand rental availability.

Commissioners asked about the composition of needed units (size and type), AMI ranges for low‑ and moderate‑income definitions, sewage/water infrastructure constraints on dispersed development, and strategies to attract developers who can build lower‑cost housing. Staff said many cost drivers are land and infrastructure, and that shared approaches—density near municipal infrastructure, layered public subsidies, and partnerships with nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity—are more likely to yield affordable ownership and rental options.

Ending: Housing staff said subsequent presentations will cover programmatic responses (including rapid rehousing and transitional living) and a September update on the countywide affordable‑housing strategic plan and performance against the six‑year scope established in earlier planning work.