Chapel Hill has one solution for its problem with affordable housing: density. Even with the creation of an ordinance that prescribes developers to commit a certain percentage of their developments to affordable homes, this will not curb the tide of developers purchasing more affordable homes in established neighborhoods to rent to students. The placement of affordable housing in the more suburban developments will further tax the infrastructure of the city as well as promoting other problems associated with sprawl, such as traffic. Rather, Chapel Hill should encourage the construction of denser housing options closer to downtown for both students and young professors, University and municipal workers. Denser developments close to downtown that include both townhouses and mid-rise apartments will meet the demands of the student renters without further jeopardizing established neighborhoods while providing essential workers the choice of living closer to their workplace. Chapel Hill already claims to be urbane; let's see if it's ready to be a little more urban.
Jeff Bunda
Senior
Psychology
