Idlewild affordable housing community breaks ground in southeast Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Crews have officially broke ground on a new affordable housing development in southeast Raleigh.

City leaders began work on 18 new homes in the historic Idlewild community on Monday.

NC Central head basketball coach LeVelle Moton is one of the developers.

He says the goal is to increase black home ownership in a historically black part of the city.

"All we ever asked for was to be involved, to have a seat at the table, to preserve some of the history of this community because we're from this community. We understand exactly what's needed. So hopefully these 18 affordable homes can serve as a blueprint that can be used throughout the city because we are in desperate need," said Moton.

The project will use a public land trust model, so residents will own the home, but not the land it sits on.

Half of the homes will be rented for about $1,400 a month.

The others will sell between $145,000 and $225,000.