Affordable Housing Study

In early 2023 UNC-Chapel Hill launched a project to study housing affordability in and around the Town of Chapel Hill. In partnership with U3 Advisors, a consultancy that specializes in real estate, economic and housing strategies for universities, hospitals and other anchor institutions, the study engaged in a broad analysis that included assessing market trends in affordability and mapping and analyzing current housing patterns for Carolina employees.

As part of the study, a survey was sent to all UNC-Chapel Hill employees, including faculty and graduate students, about their perspectives regarding housing, which received around 2000 responses. The results of the survey were anonymous and used to inform analysis of where employees and graduate students currently live, where they would desire to live, and the affordability and accessibility constraints that may drive these housing decisions.

The report was shared with campus leadership and the Employee Forum during the summer and fall of 2023. It largely confirmed that University employees and graduate students are challenged to find affordable housing options in the Chapel Hill area.

Next steps include sharing results with community partners and evaluating development opportunities and exploring partnerships for possible development of a variety of housing over the next two years.