Affordable Housing

Local Elections Wrap in North Carolina

Local elections have concluded for 2023 and the results are in. Both newcomers and incumbents won races across the county, many of whom ran on a platform highlighting the importance of affordable housing.

Voting is a powerful way to use your voice and support affordable housing advocates running for office. Before you go to the polls it is important to remember that, starting this year, voters will need to present an acceptable form of Voter ID at the ballot box. This could include a NC driver’s license or any of the other types of IDs found on this helpful list from Democracy NC:
 

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Historic discrimination in U.S. housing policy has been a driver of inequalities that persist today. At Habitat Wake, we know we have a responsibility to raise awareness about the continuing effects of these policies and to advocate for opportunities that increase affordable housing access for all.  

Voting for our local, state, and national representation has always been an important tradition in American life. Presidential elections by far get the most attention and highest voter turnout, in the 2020 national election the NC voter turnout had around a 75% turnout and the 2021 municipal election had a 15% turnout. However, that does not mean that other elections aren’t just as important. In many ways, local elections actually have a more direct impact on our lives. In terms of affordable housing, municipal governments have some powerful tools at their disposal.

Local budgets across Wake County and Johnston County have now been officially approved for the 2024 Fiscal Year. And thanks to Habitat Wake’s Advocacy Ambassadors and hundreds of community members advocating for affordable housing funding, local decision makers made significant investments in our community. Advocates wrote comments, spoke at the budget hearings, and attended the hearings decked out in their Habitat t-shirts.

On Saturday, June 17th, elected officials from across Wake and Johnston counties came out to Old Poole Place in Raleigh to join in Elected Officials Build Day. Fifteen members of municipal, county, state governments and staff participated by lending their time and energy to building houses alongside Habitat volunteers.

An Easter message by Rick Beech, VP of Faith Relations 
 

In the Christian tradition, we are in the Easter season. Easter pivots around two days. On Friday, there is the crucifixion. It is as dark as it gets. It appears that darkness wins. On Sunday, there is the resurrection. It is as light as it gets. Hope wins. 

On Wednesday, March 22, advocates from across Wake County came together to participate in Habitat Wake’s 2nd annual Local Lobby Day.

Throughout the day, Habitat volunteers, homebuyers, homeowners, and concerned residents met with local elected officials from the Wake County Commission and Raleigh City Council.