Today Governor Josh Stein joined Southeast Raleigh Promise to tour part of its 25-unit affordable housing project and highlight recent legislation that will help expand access to affordable housing statewide.
“Stable housing provides a foundation for opportunity, but too many people at every income level are struggling to find housing they can afford,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Mixed-income affordable housing projects give families a chance to build their future at a price they can afford. This summer I signed legislation that will build on this progress, cut red tape, and build more housing opportunities across the state.”
“A higher-density housing approach is an important step toward expanding housing access and affordability across North Carolina,” said Yvette Holmes, CEO of Southeast Raleigh Promise. “Through our Promise of Home initiative, we are demonstrating right here in Southeast Raleigh what is possible when we help shape growth through a community-centered, mixed-income approach that creates more housing opportunities while supporting long-term neighborhood stability. We are grateful to welcome Governor Stein to Southeast Raleigh to see this work firsthand and to highlight how communities can grow while honoring the people, history, and character that make them home.”
"A safe and stable home can support so many other parts of life, from health and education to employment and long-term stability. Every day at the City of Raleigh we are committed to an important mission: increase the supply of safe, stable, and affordable housing and end and prevent homelessness,” said Emila Sutton, Director of Housing and Community Development at the City of Raleigh. “Recent action at the state level is helping expand housing opportunities and removing barriers to unlock housing production. New legislation removes parking minimums, expands access to ADUs, and creates more opportunities for housing near jobs and everyday needs. I’m proud to say Raleigh has been ahead of the curve on many of these strategies, and it's exciting to see these approaches reflected at the state level."
Through 2029, North Carolina is projected to be more than 750,000 homes short – 110,000 homes short in Wake County alone. Affordability challenges persist, with rising median rents and home prices leading many households across the state, including approximately half of all renters, to spend more than 30% of their incomes on housing. Nearly 30% of older adults in North Carolina spend more than one‑third of their income on housing, placing them at increased risk of instability and housing insecurity. From 2024 to 2025, North Carolina saw the ninth-highest rental price increases in the country.
Building on the success of similar local ordinances, Governor Stein signed Senate Bill 445 into law, cutting red tape to help produce more houses and apartments, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), across most of the state. Governor Stein also signed House Bill 162, increasing flexibility for homeowners and homebuilders by eliminating mandatory minimum parking spaces based on occupancy in most counties, ultimately lowering rents for people as a result. The law now also allows mixed-use zoning in some communities so that people can live near their jobs; Governor Stein supports expanding this policy statewide.
Earlier this year, Governor Stein signed an executive order to increase housing opportunities and affordability for all North Carolinians. Executive Order No. 36 directs cabinet agencies to work together to increase housing supply, affordability, and access and to use technology to deliver data-driven solutions.