Coming up NEXT Friday, April 25, 2025, EMPOWERment Inc. will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Pine Knoll EMPOWERment Affordable Community Housing (AKA P.E.A.C.H.) Apartments, a 10-unit affordable housing project.
- When: Friday, April 25 , 11:00AM
- Where: 107 Johnson Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
- RSVP by April 20 here
This groundbreaking project stands as a model for community-driven solutions to the housing crisis and was inspired by the vision of Dr. Ted Parris, Pine Knoll Community Board President.
The five African American women at the core of P.E.A.C.H., Delores Bailey, La Tanya Davis, Sarita Nwachukwu, Sharron Reid, and Valencia Thompson combined, have over 50 years of experience in community service and development.
I have been following this project since 2021, becoming aware of it, and seeing it first presented to the Chapel Hill Planning Commission and other advisory boards. What appealed to me was the location, just a few blocks from downtown, its easy access to transit and that this project was focused on an underserved housing population, those that only make 30% of the average medium income.
I also was impressed at how the community joined to make this project a success. For instance, Josh Gurlitz of Josh Gurlitz Architecture (JGA) and Kendall Page donated a significant amount of their time, professional services, and talent to The P.E.A.C.H Apartments. Ms. Page is a Chapel Hill native and Real Estate and Probate Attorney.
This project is a significant step for EMPOWERment Inc, in that it is a new build of a multi-family, multi-generational rental apartment building. I look forward to more projects of this kind by them. This took a big leap of faith and a commitment to getting the project from merely a dream to a complete structure.
EMPOWERment Inc’s commitment is to directly address this crisis and ensure essential workers have access to quality, affordable housing in the community where they are employed. The complex offers many amenities, including handicap-accessible and ADA-compliant units. It is within walking distance of schools, shopping areas, and the hospital. With $3.9M fully raised, the project was completed debt-free.
“The P.E.A.C.H. Apartments will be a transformative force in the fight for affordable housing. This venture is a critical step toward making Chapel Hill and Orange County more accessible for all. EMPOWERment is unwavering in its commitment to creating more opportunities for rental housing.” said Delores Bailey, Executive Director.