FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Media Contact: Kevin Giff | giff@unc.edu
HOPE NC Opens First Inclusive, Affordable Homes at Weavers Grove
Four new homes will provide affordable, independent living opportunities for eight adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chapel Hill.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (October 14, 2026) – About 80 residents, family members, neighbors, community partners and public officials gathered Tuesday at Weavers Grove to cut the ribbon on HOPE NC's first four homes in the neighborhood. Eight adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) will live in the homes, many in their first independent home. Two residents have already moved in, and the others will follow over the coming weeks.
“Securing independent, adult housing here is a milestone for my success and my life, and it has become a reality,” said Josh, one of the new Weavers Grove residents. “Stable housing empowers individuals with varied abilities like myself to thrive.”
The homes are part of Weavers Grove, a mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood being developed by Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, NC. The event included remarks from residents and project partners, including Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson, Orange County Commissioner Amy Fowler, and leaders from Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, Alliance Health, and the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. Residents joined community partners and elected officials for the ribbon cutting, followed by tours of the new homes.
Elected officials in attendance included U.S. Representative Valerie Foushee, State Senator Jonah Garson, State Representative Allen Buansi, Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson, Chapel Hill Council Members Melissa McCullough and Theo Nolbert, and Orange County Commissioner Amy Fowler.
“I am thankful to all the partners that came together to make this dream of inclusive community housing a reality,” said Orange County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Amy Fowler. “I am most excited for the creation of a community for the residents.”
A Partnership to Expand Inclusive Housing
Adults with I/DD have historically had limited opportunities to live independently in their communities. At Weavers Grove, HOPE NC is creating more inclusive housing options by purchasing homes and leasing them to residents as affordable rentals.
HOPE NC purchased the four homes through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, NC. The purchase was made possible with support from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, the Town of Chapel Hill, Orange County, Alliance Health, and private donors.
“From the very beginning, Weavers Grove was designed to be more than a housing development. We set out to create a neighborhood where people of different incomes, ages, backgrounds, and abilities could live side by side,” said Jennifer Player, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, NC. “A neighborhood where connection, inclusion, and belonging aren't aspirations, but realities.”
Residents share two-bedroom homes with roommates. Rental assistance from Orange County keeps their housing costs at no more than 30% of their income. Nearly 50 people applied for the homes, reflecting the strong need and interest in this type of housing.
The Weavers Grove neighborhood offers community gathering spaces, walking trails, nearby free public transit, and a future community center that will include B3 Coffee. HOPE NC also provides an on-site Community Facilitator to help residents connect with resources and neighbors and organize community programs and events.
“Let's not let these four homes be the exception. Let's make them an example,” said Laura Wells, Executive Director of HOPE NC. “At HOPE NC, we believe the answer is not to create separate communities for people with disabilities. The answer is to create better communities for everyone.”
These four homes are the first of three planned phases of HOPE NC housing at Weavers Grove. Approximately 20 adults with I/DD are expected to live in the neighborhood once all three phases are complete. HOPE NC hopes the partnership can serve as a model for expanding inclusive housing in other communities across North Carolina.
About HOPE NC
HOPE (Housing Options for People with Exceptionalities) NC is a nonprofit organization creating inclusive communities where people of all abilities experience belonging. Founded in 2018 by three families seeking affordable, independent living opportunities for their adult children with I/DD, HOPE NC expands inclusive housing across North Carolina through community development, education, and advocacy.