Is Affordable Housing really Affordable?

Is Affordable Housing really Affordable?

by | Feb 7, 2024 |

Generally affordable is defined as requiring no more than 30% of a household’s income being spent on housing. For the City of Raleigh, affordability is based on a percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI). Housing funded by the city is defined as affordable if it is in reach of those earning between 30% – 80% AMI. Without knowing what Raleigh’s AMI is or what local salaries are, there really is no way of knowing who affordable housing is affordable for. What we learn when we know the numbers is that to truly be affordable, Raleigh needs to focus its housing efforts at 60% AMI and BELOW.

City Council Meetings 2.6.24

City Council Meetings 2.6.24

by | Feb 7, 2024 |

Highlights City Council voted unanimously to restore a relationship with Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs) to include free monthly access to meeting rooms, provision of technology to support virtual meetings, and support for capability building for future leaders At...

January 30, 2024 City Council Meeting Highlights

January 30, 2024 City Council Meeting Highlights

by | Jan 31, 2024 |

A. 7:00 P.M. EVENING AGENDA B. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR C. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING 1. Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-7-22: New Bern Station Area Planning 2. Rezoning Z-92-22: New Bern Station Area Planning, 744...

Z-92, a truly deceptive, destructive plan

Z-92, a truly deceptive, destructive plan

by | Jan 31, 2024 |

Please, ask yourself why staff is proposing to put the TOD overlay in place and then, head fake! Wipe it out in the same rezoning case with a totally unrelated and massive up-zoning of 744 properties. Ask yourself why Mayor Baldwin thinks that’s a good idea.

Property valuation increases come with a cost

Property valuation increases come with a cost

by | Jan 30, 2024 |

A neighborhood is most fortunate when it is somewhere in the middle: Prosperous enough that residents can live in safety, and find it worthwhile to maintain their homes, but not so prosperous that residency is determined only by income, and the soul of the neighborhood is lost.

CITY COUNCIL RETREAT – JANUARY 26 & 27, 2024

CITY COUNCIL RETREAT – JANUARY 26 & 27, 2024

by | Jan 28, 2024 |

HIGHLIGHTS Typical issues with transparency. Meeting start time initially reported at 1pm, then 12noon, then livestream was supposed to start at 12:40. It actually started at 1:18pm. Apparently a panel discussion occurred when they weren’t filming and no details were...

New Bern TOD – Redo the map – apply it strategically

New Bern TOD – Redo the map – apply it strategically

by | Jan 24, 2024 |

On January 30th, City Council should vote against the current rezoning case and send City Planners back to the drawing board to redo the map. Wide support of the TOD can be accomplished by strategically applying it to commercial properties and open lots.  You cannot reduce the displacement pressure on the existing neighborhoods when you include those very neighborhoods in the TOD!

Locals gather to hear Community Leaders discuss mass upzoning plans for New Bern Ave

Locals gather to hear Community Leaders discuss mass upzoning plans for New Bern Ave

by | Jan 22, 2024 |

An overflow crowd turned out Sunday afternoon for Livable Raleigh’s public forum to discuss a proposed upzoning of more than 700 properties along the New Bern Avenue corridor. The resounding message was to ask City Council to deny the rezoning request (Z-92-22) and to put the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) into committee for modifications. Panelists and audience members alike expressed concern about the displacement of an entire minority community. Attendees were encouraged to attend the upcoming public hearing on January 30 at 7pm at the Raleigh Municipal Building.