Raleigh leaders break ground on mixed-income promise community
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A new mixed-income housing project aimed at preserving affordability is moving forward in southeast Raleigh, as community members gathered for the groundbreaking of a development near the Rock Quarry Road corridor.
The Southeast Raleigh Promise has begun construction on "Promise of Home," a project that will bring 25 mixed-income rental homes to nine city-owned parcels within walking distance of downtown Raleigh.
Community leaders and longtime residents marked the start of construction by emphasizing the importance of growth that does not displace existing neighbors.
"I'm just excited as bee is on honey," said James Cannon, a longtime resident who has lived in the community his entire life. Cannon said he is encouraged to see the neighborhood change while maintaining a focus on affordability and inclusion.
"The whole gamut is very important to see that people to realize you want to be a part of what we're trying to do. And the more I see it, the better they'll feel about it," Cannon said.
The development will include one single-family home, duplexes and accessory dwelling units. The homes will be available to households earning as low as 30%of the area median income.
Leaders said the project is part of a broader mission that also focuses on education, economic mobility, health and wellbeing, and mixed-income housing.
"We want to see improved communities. We want to see improved infrastructure, but we also want to make sure that all those improvements don't create displacement for those who have been here for, for a long period of time," said Yvette Holmes, CEO of the Southeast Raleigh Promise.
Cannon said sustainable growth is critical for the future of the neighborhood.
"Because you need to. If you don't grow, you're stagnant. You lose what you got," he said.
He added that positive growth can also help reshape how the community is perceived and how residents see themselves.
"We were projected with an image of not caring. Or destructive. But as we get, they begin to see go out in the neighborhood and begin to do more things. then people see what we are doing there. You begin to get a better image of you, and people will begin to respond to help you," Cannon said. "And so we that's what our goals are, to take the neighborhood we live in to make it better. And then other people will see and then they'll want to help out. They come in and be a part of it."
Construction is underway at Person and Lee streets. The project is expected to be completed by early 2027.
