New Mayor in Raleigh Calls for an Affordable Housing 'Moon Shot'

There's a necessity for Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin's affordable housing ambition: average rents are rising faster than the national average in the North Carolina city.

1 minute read

December 15, 2019, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


North Carolina State Capital

ESB Professional / Shutterstock

Raleigh’s new mayor, Mary-Ann Baldwin, is calling for a moonshot on affordable housing, reports Ned Barnett.

Raleigh is dealing with housing pressures common in growing U.S. cities: "Raleigh’s growth, including an influx of higher earners, is driving up rents and home prices and making it difficult for lower-income earners to find housing they can afford. The average rent in the Raleigh-Durham area rose 5.3 percent this year compared to 3 percent nationally."

According to Barnett, Mayor Baldwin's moon shot will include a housing bond, price tag still to be determined. Nearby Charlotte and Raleigh both passed affordable housing bonds in recent years.

Sunday, December 8, 2019 in The Raleigh News & Observer

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