N. C. Gov. Josh Stein Visits Southeast Raleigh Promise Housing

Southeast Raleigh Promise welcomed North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein to Southeast Raleigh this week for a firsthand look at our Promise of Home initiative and the work underway to expand access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

Gov. Stein visited 1102 S. Person Street, one of 25 affordable rental homes being developed on nine city-owned parcels through the Promise of Home initiative announced in April at its groundbreaking. He toured the newly completed single-family home alongside Southeast Raleigh Promise CEO Yvette Holmes and Emila Sutton, the City’s Director of Housing and Community Development.

The visit offered an opportunity to see one of these homes up close, talk about why creating more affordable housing matters for families throughout North Carolina, and champion the partnerships making it happen.

“Stable housing provides a foundation for opportunity, but too many people at every income level are struggling to find housing they can afford,” Stein said. “Mixed-income affordable housing projects give families a chance to build their future at a price they can afford.”

He added:  “We are one of the fastest-growing states in the nation and in Wake County the gap is anticipated to be 110,000 units,” Stein said. “That’s why we must build more homes of all types to meet different families’ needs.”

For Southeast Raleigh Promise, affordable housing is about creating communities where families put down roots, build stability, honor their legacy, and take advantage of economic opportunities. The Promise of Home initiative is helping make that vision possible by bringing affordable rental homes to Southeast Raleigh. The initiative promises 25 homes, including single-family homes, duplexes, and ADUs designed to provide families with safe, quality housing in a community where they can thrive.

Southeast Raleigh Promise CEO Yvette Holmes said projects like the Promise of Home will help preserve affordability in neighborhoods experiencing rapid change.

“To be able to build in communities that are rapidly changing, that are near all the amenities, transit and job centers in downtown Raleigh, it’s important that neighborhoods remain affordable for everyone, including those with varying degrees of income,” Holmes said.

Legislation signed this summer builds on the progress being made, cuts red tape and delivers more housing opportunities across the state, including higher-density development, Stein said. An executive order he signed in May directs state agencies to coordinate housing initiatives and calls for increased housing development, affordability and access across the state.

During his visit, Gov. Stein learned more about the project, the vision behind Promise of Home, and Southeast Raleigh Promise’s broader work to create pathways to opportunity for families.

“A home is more than just a roof over one’s head. It’s a source of stability. It’s an anchor in the community, and it can be a source of generational wealth,” Stein said, adding the initiative means more families can remain in the communities they call home. “Now, 25 more families in Raleigh will be able to afford their future here in the state, in the city that they love, so that they don’t have to leave where they live and work,” Stein said.    “A home is more than just a roof over one’s head. It’s a source of stability. It’s an anchor in the community, and it can be a source of generational wealth,” Stein said, adding the initiative means more families can remain in the communities they call home. “Now, 25 more families in Raleigh will be able to afford their future here in the state, in the city that they love, so that they don’t have to leave where they live and work,” Stein said.

Already, Southeast Raleigh Promise has the keys to its first single-family home at 1102 South Person Street and recently received the certificate of occupancy for its first duplex at 911 Edenton Street.

Southeast Raleigh Promise is grateful to Gov. Stein, the City of Raleigh, Wake County, and to the organizations and partners working together to advance solutions to North Carolina’s housing affordability challenges. Our partners for the 25 rental homes include the City of Raleigh, Wake County, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), Purpose Built Communities, Southeast Raleigh Promise, and Tom Russell Foundation, as well as our project team –  Urban Trends, TightLines Designs, RBI, and First Rate Property Management.

Southeast Raleigh Promise is proud to be part of a growing effort to make homes more affordable and accessible for North Carolina families. Together, we demonstrate what is possible when communities, local and state leaders, housing organizations, investors, and residents work toward a shared vision.

As we celebrate the progress we’ve made and recognize the work still ahead, we are grateful to Gov. Stein for visiting Southeast Raleigh Promise and for his commitment to expanding housing opportunities for families across North Carolina.

Stay connected with Southeast Raleigh Promise for updates as additional homes are completed at: https://serpromise.org/rental-homes/.