Register Feb. 14 for 2025 POV Challenge
Student teams should submit their creative ideas about improving access to affordable housing by Feb. 23.
As part of Carolina Engagement Week, Carolina Across 100 invites students to share their points of view on affordable housing in North Carolina for the 2025 POV Challenge.
To participate in the challenge, teams of two to five students must register by Feb. 14 and submit a response to one of three prompts by Feb. 23. The top two entries will receive a $500 award. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges and will be used by the Carolina Across 100 team to engage with communities across the state on issues through programs like Our State, Our Homes.
Launched in 2021, Carolina Across 100 is a five-year pan-university program charged and supported by the Office of the Chancellor, led by the School of Government’s ncIMPACT Initiative with guidance from the Carolina Engagement Council. The program exemplifies the University’s mission to “enhance the quality of life for all people in the state.” It aims to partner with communities in each of North Carolina’s 100 counties to address their greatest challenges and opportunities. Our State, Our Homes is an 18-month initiative from the program to help communities analyze challenges and implement strategies to address affordable housing and related issues in North Carolina.
“The challenge gives students a platform to explore the complexities of affordable housing in North Carolina, elevating diverse perspectives and deepening our understanding of housing challenges and solutions,” said Jacob Hunter, ncIMPACT’s lead policy and data analyst. “The lack of housing has been named the No. 1 challenge for North Carolina communities. This year’s challenge offers Carolina students the opportunity to create responsive strategies to the pressures the state faces due to unavailable or unaffordable housing.”
Submissions can be in any form, and the competition is designed to be inclusive, diverse and creative in the ways information and data is visualized and shared with communities.
“The insights generated by students will help Our State, Our Homes teams see affordable housing through fresh eyes, inspiring new approaches to challenges, engaging communities and fostering collaboration,” said Anita Brown-Graham, director of ncIMPACT. “Communities come to campus seeking access to innovative ideas. Our students are a remarkable source for innovation.”
This year’s submissions will be on display and winners will be announced at the Carolina Engagement Week Reception on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. at the UNC School of Government. A brief program will include remarks from Chancellor Lee Roberts and Dean Aimee Wall.
