Housing Affordability in Raleigh

Housing affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing Raleigh as our city continues to grow. Too many residents are struggling to keep up with rising housing costs, and people who have lived and worked here for years are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to stay.

We need more housing choices at different price points across Raleigh, so residents have options throughout the city rather than affordable housing being concentrated in only certain areas. But simply building more housing isn't enough. We also need to focus on affordability for low- and moderate-income households, preserving existing affordable housing, and preventing displacement.

Development and Infrastructure

As Raleigh grows, we need to continue making smart use of the land and infrastructure we already have. Increasing housing density in appropriate areas, particularly along major transit corridors, near planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes, and in areas identified for growth, can help us meet our housing needs.

This can also help us create more walkable neighborhoods where people have access to jobs, businesses, services, and transportation options without having to rely on a car for everything.

At the same time, we need to be thoughtful about how new development fits into existing neighborhoods and ensure that our infrastructure, including roads, water, sewer, and public services, can support that growth.

Making Housing More Affordable

We need to prioritize housing for residents earning below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), particularly households earning between 30% and 60% AMI, where the need for affordable housing is significant.

AMI is the midpoint of household incomes in an area, adjusted for household size. Generally, households earning up to 80% of AMI qualify as low-income under federal housing guidelines. For reference, in Raleigh, 80% AMI for a two-person household is approximately $84,700 annually, while 60% AMI is approximately $63,540, based on 2026 income limits.

The City's affordable housing funds, partnerships, and available federal and state resources can help create housing that these households can actually afford.

Under North Carolina law, the City cannot require developers to include affordable housing units. However, Raleigh already works with developers to negotiate affordable housing commitments, particularly during rezonings. If elected, I would work with my fellow Council members to make affordable housing a shared priority and strengthen these negotiations so that we can secure more affordable housing opportunities for Raleigh residents.

Preserving Existing Affordable Housing

Building new affordable housing is important, but we cannot overlook the housing we already have.

Raleigh has existing homes and apartment communities that remain relatively affordable without government subsidies. As property values rise and redevelopment continues, we risk losing these homes and displacing longtime residents.

We need to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing, expand housing rehabilitation opportunities, and work with community partners to help residents remain in their homes.

We also need to continue investing in eviction prevention and housing stability programs to help families before they face displacement.

Planning for Growth

Raleigh is going to continue growing, and we need to plan for that growth through targeted density where appropriate, rather than pushing development farther outward and contributing to sprawl. Sprawl puts additional strain on emergency and other city services, increases infrastructure costs, and contributes to environmental degradation.

Thats why housing, transportation, infrastructure, and land-use decisions should work together. At the end of the day, housing affordability isn't just about how many homes we build. It's about whether the people who make Raleigh what it is can afford to continue living here.

I want Raleigh to be a city where young people starting their careers, working families, seniors, and longtime residents all have opportunities to find a home they can afford.