As Cary has transformed from historic railroad town to one of North Carolina’s largest metros over the last six decades, a mobile home community lay tucked away at the intersection of Maynard Road and Chatham Street on the edge of downtown. Late last month, Curtis Westbrook Sr., the owner of the 37-acre tract that houses that community, Chatham Estates, plus the Chatham Square shopping center and other retail buildings, sent residents notice of the property’s imminent sale. They had six months to vacate and find new accommodations.
Located just north of the Fenton development, Chatham Estates was first listed for sale in 2023. That fall, families living in the 144-unit mobile home park told the INDY they didn’t know where they’d go if Chatham Estates was sold: “I don’t want to leave,” resident Nelida Arana Gaona, a stay-at-home mother of three told the INDY through a Spanish translator. “But… if they kick us out, there’s no choice right?”
Not much has changed in two years for the park’s roughly 700 remaining residents, many of whom say it will be difficult for them to move: rent for single family homes in Cary averages $2,000 a month compared to the $400 they pay to rent a plot in the park, and many of the mobile homes aren’t in good enough condition to relocate.
But, through a partnership between the Town of Cary and the nonprofit NeighborUp (formerly Dorcas Ministries and Western Wake Crisis Ministry), which provides relief services to residents experiencing housing instability, town officials expect to be able to assist Chatham Estates residents as they seek new housing.
In March 2024, the town established a new program, Stable Homes Cary, and allocated more than $2 million with the aim of keeping people in their homes when possible and helping them “find a path forward when relocation is necessary due to pending redevelopment,” the town’s website states. According to a recent memo from the town, counselors from NeighborUp and the nonprofit partner A Doorway to Hope have begun reaching out to residents onsite about Stable Homes Cary resources.
“Through individual case management, both in the neighborhood and at NeighborUp, counselors will help identify potential housing options, connect residents with resources, and administer relocation assistance disbursement to help meet each household’s needs,” the memo states. Residents, who received the official notice to vacate on December 29, are eligible for reimbursement for moving and housing expenses, including rental and utilities deposits, first month’s rent, insurance, application fees, or home purchases expenses such as down payments, HOA and inspection fees.
Last March, Toll Brothers submitted plans to redevelop the property for 330 multifamily units and 97 townhouses. The town is currently reviewing the plans and the sale, brokered by Lee & Associates, is expected to close in June. Toll Brothers’ development team has met with NeighborUp representatives “to explore opportunities to support the Chatham Estates residents through a potential contribution to the relocation fund,” according to the town’s recent memo.
This story originally ran in the January 8 edition of The Line. Sign up to receive future newsletters.
🗓️ Learn more about The Line: Attend our launch event on January 28.