Carmen Cauthen: I am not advocating for the haves, but for the have nots.

Carmen Cauthen: I am not advocating for the haves, but for the have nots.

I follow a listserv to see what people are saying about building, growth and change on the New Bern Avenue corridor since that is where I live, The latest conversation is about the city purchasing the DMV building at more than the appraised price. If I talk about the evils of putting more unaffordable housing in the community, I am called a NIMBY (not in my back yard). They never seem to understand that I am not advocating for the haves, but for the have nots. If you have no back yard – that is who I am fighting for. I could be one of them.

Raleigh must refocus its vision for affordable housing

Raleigh must refocus its vision for affordable housing

Intentional or not, staff’s interpretations of the Comp Plan and Missing Middle rules are not promoting affordability. Instead they promote the destruction of existing affordable units in favor of market rate and luxury units that drive up land and housing costs. Over 4,000 units lost each year according to the city’s own data, making Raleigh’s affordable housing crisis worse, not better.

TOD needs a DO-OVER

TOD needs a DO-OVER

You may be creating more density for increased ridership for public transit but you are destroying the reason that people continue to live in a City of deep, rich culture and historic heritage. Let’s not lose our past and present character while making room for a ridership that may never develop, especially if it does not provide for the housing needs for the population that actually depends on public transit for their livelihood.

Shaw rezoning, use your Head and your Heart

Shaw rezoning, use your Head and your Heart

Last week we explained why you know in your heart that the Shaw rezoning application should not be approved. Now we will explain how in your head you can understand the proposal is not in line with the policies of Raleigh’s Comprehensive Plan.