WILMINGTON — Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity is moving forward with plans for a new housing project.
The nonprofit is launching its first mixed-income community on approximately 30 acres near 5839 Sidbury Road and Buck Drive, the organization announced at its Golden Hammer Breakfast on Feb. 13. This marks Cape Fear Habitat’s first project combining traditional Habitat homes with market-rate and multi-family units.
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The development is expected to include 150 to 200 housing units, though the final breakdown between Habitat, market-rate, and multifamily homes will depend on public-private partnerships that are still being finalized. The Habitat homes will follow standard area median income eligibility: households earning up to 80% of the area median income, with adjustments for household size, may qualify. For a family of four, that’s around
$72,150.
Habitat homes are affordable and sold to qualifying families at no-profit, with mortgage payments often tied to income and with volunteer labor helping lower costs.
“This development will become far more than a place to call home — it will be a place where hope is nurtured, opportunity grows, and a stronger, more resilient community will flourish,” Marlowe Foster, CEO and president of Cape Fear Habitat, said in a release.
The project is under contract and will require rezoning and planning approval through New Hanover County. The estimated timeline from planning to completion is about seven years, though subject to change.
According to the organization, more than 22.6 million renters nationwide spend over 30% of their income on housing, which is considered cost-burdened. By combining affordable, market-rate, and multifamily homes, the nonprofit hopes to foster a thriving community and give children the benefits of cross-income social connections.
Thought the Sidbury Road project is Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity’s first mixed-income development in Wilmington, the nonprofit has previously built and planned other local housing neighborhoods, including single-family homes in Castle Hayne as well as multifamily expansions at Legacy Landing.
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