More than 100 Cary families could be forced out of homes if land is sold

A big plot of land in Cary is up for sale, and the purchase could displace dozens of businesses and more than 100 families who live behind a busy shopping center.

Chatham Estates is considered one of the few remaining affordable mobile home communities in Cary, but it's on the market along with the shopping center surrounding it.

Chatham Square includes about 50 businesses, with many catering to their neighbors.

The community is home to an estimated 700 people. It covers 40 acres on the corner of East Chatham Street and Maynard Road near downtown Cary. Additionally, about 50 small businesses are in the shopping center.

They’re part of a team trying to get the attention of town leaders. The group One Wake is organizing the business owners and residents. On Monday, a poster sat in a store window, asking them to show up at a forum for Cary town council candidates.

For these people, finding an affordable place to move their homes and businesses poses a daunting challenge. Many people could lose their businesses and homes if the land is sold and redeveloped.

Leticia Solis, Chatham Estates resident, has lived there for 10 years and likes the community. Ever since the land went up for sale, she’s been feeling anxious and concerned about the future. Solis works as a home cleaner and babysitter to survive.

"This is a good community," Solis said.

Curtis Westbrook, Sr. has owned the property for more than 40 years. He said he's selling the Chatham Square shopping center and mobile home community due to his health. Westbrook said he's had two open heart surgeries in the last year.

“The reason I’m selling this property, we’re selling this property, is because of my medical condition, no question about it," Westbrook said. "It would not be up for sale if it wasn’t. We don’t have any reason to sell other than the medical.”

Westbrook said negotiations are underway with a potential buyer. He didn't have a time frame for when any deal could be done, but he says residents will be given at least six months to move and businesses here will be able to stay through the end of their lease.

One Wake organizer Katia Roebuck is making sure the people who live here don't get lost in a land deal that could fetch tens of millions of dollars.

"The majority of them are going to be homeless because of the conditions of their own homes," said Roebuck. "It’s beautiful to see how the city is progressing and growing, but is Cary inclusive for everybody? Is Cary including everybody in here?"

They're asking the town to support more affordable housing and to look for ways to help families relocate.

"They pay $400 a month here," Roebuck said. "I don’t think they can find any place in Wake County, so this isn’t just Cary. This is for Wake County, the need for affordable housing for hard-working families,"

The city said that in this fiscal year, they've proposed a budget of approximately $5 million to support affordable housing efforts. Cary staff has been in contact with local groups interested in working with Chatham Estates residents. Cary has also utilized Town-owned property to develop affordable housing.

The 921 SE Maynard site is anticipated to be completed by early 2025 and will include 126 units of mixed-income housing.