Solutions to Housing Issues

Planning staff, alongside local experts, developers, and stakeholders, are working to improve attainable housing options in Southern Pines (in line with Comprehensive Plan Policies 7.1 and 7.5) through local regulatory reforms in the short-term. According to internal and external studies, staff have found a significant deficit in ownable, as opposed to rentable, housing options for the local workforce.

For that reason, at the March 25, 2025 Town Council Work Session, the Town Council supported the following goals for project.

1. Catalyze 30 new housing units for those making between 80% and 120% of the median household income (i.e., workforce housing; currently, between approx. $67,000 and $100,000 per year—a dwelling unit between $230,000 and $340,000 and/or rent between $1,675 and $2,500) via regulatory reform.
2. Protect existing affordable housing units, alongside adjacent organizations, by fostering critical home repairs and upgrades.
3. Expand flexibility and incentivize new infill and greenfield opportunities for different housing types and densities to integrate into the existing community (land-use flexibility, mixed-use structures, etc.).
4. Foster housing expansion in a way that does not diminish the community character of Southern Pines. All future housing should comply with the design characteristics described in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for each character district.

The Town Council also supported three specific pathways, within the overall housing project, for staff to lead immediate efforts on:

1. Density. Explore increasing housing density of missing middle housing types in the downtown adjacent neighborhood, West Southern Pines, and Complete Community, Suburban Settlement, and Golf character districts.
2. Unconventional Housing Options. Investigate possible outcomes of greater flexibility with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), allowing ADUs in non-traditional areas, and the use of modular homes.
3. Streamlined Subdivision Options. Explore adopting streamlined subdivision process options for “Single-Family Attached” developments (townhomes, duplexes, quadplexes, etc.) in places where they are already permitted and in a way that prioritizes character for future owners.

Staff are continuing to lead efforts in these three areas, and plan to deliver Unified Development Ordinance text amendment options to the Planning Board and Town Council later this year. For public information and input, staff are holding a public forum on the topic on May 1, 2025 from 11am-1pm at the E.S. Douglass Community Center.

Town Talk: Housing
Thursday May 1
11am - 1pm
ES Douglass Community Center
1185 West Pennsylvania Ave