News & Press
Raleigh Area Land Trust Welcomes New Board Members Nicole Bennett and Doruk Onvural
September 12, 2024 - Raleigh Area Land Trust is excited to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors: Nicole Bennett and Doruk Onvural. Both individuals bring extensive experience and a deep commitment to supporting equitable and sustainable development in the Raleigh area.
Conversation series podcast | Featuring Kevin campbel
September 11, 2024 - Kevin Campbell, Executive Director of the Raleigh Area Land Trust, sits down with The Conversation Series Podcast Host Danielle Clardy to discuss the critical issue of affordable homeownership in Raleigh. With the city growing exponentially, Kevin dives into the innovative approaches RALT is taking to ensure long-term affordability in housing—particularly focusing on the community land trust model. Kevin also discusses the role of public and private sector support, government involvement, and the importance of local community action to address the ongoing housing crisis.
Opinion: Protecting Homeownership as Wake County Grows | Cardinal & Pine
August 19, 2024 - As Wake County grows, housing affordability is slipping further out of reach for long-term residents, deepening racial and economic inequities. In an article for Cardinal & Pine, Kevin Campbell, Executive Director of the Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT), highlights how RALT offers permanently affordable housing to ensure families like Dumisha Binns' can stay in their communities and build equity, while advocating for equitable development strategies that promote inclusive growth.
Nonprofit making housing affordable by separating land from homeownership | WRAL
August 18, 2024 - As reported by WRAL, the Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT) is making homeownership more attainable for low-to-moderate-income families like James Watson by purchasing land and selling homes at reduced prices, which also lowers property tax burdens since homeowners only pay taxes on the building. With rising home prices and property taxes in Raleigh, RALT is developing 22 additional units to continue its mission of providing sustainable, affordable housing options.
Legislation proposes incentives to bolster affordable housing | Raleigh News & Observer
July 10, 2024 - U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel has introduced the Keep Housing Affordable Act, which aims to provide incentives for developers to extend the affordability period of low-income housing in North Carolina up to 50 years. Kevin Campbell, RALT’s Executive Director, supports the bill, emphasizing its importance in preventing the conversion of affordable units to market-rate in high-demand areas like Raleigh and Wake County.
NC minimum-wage worker must work 3.5 jobs to afford modest housing | Raleigh News & Observer
July 6, 2024 - A new report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition reveals that someone earning North Carolina’s minimum wage of $7.25 per hour would need to work 139 hours per week to afford a two-bedroom rental unit at the fair market rate, highlighting the growing disparity between wages and housing costs. In this News and Observer article, Kevin Campbell, RALT’s Executive Director, emphasizes that the widening gap between income and housing affordability, exacerbated post-COVID, makes housing increasingly unattainable for many essential workers in the community.
Conversation: Community Land Trusts And Improved Health | Forbes
July 5, 2024 - Community land trusts (CLTs) are seen as a crucial solution to the affordable housing crisis in the U.S., offering stable, high-quality housing that positively impacts health outcomes. Kevin Campbell, RALT’s Executive Director highlights the challenges of land acquisition and the importance of local and state funding, while RALT’s Board Member Dr. Rasheeda Taliaferro Monroe emphasizes the strong link between stable housing and improved public health.
$8M raised for Wake Co.’s first community land trust project | Spectrum local news
June 25, 2024 - In a Spectrum News local broadcast, the station highlighted RALT’s significant impact as Wake County's first community land trust. With over $8 million raised, RALT is developing 18 affordable housing units in downtown Raleigh, offering a model for accessible homeownership and long-term affordability.
Exploring the Impact of Housing on Well-being | Housingwire
June 17, 2024 - In her HousingWire byline, Dr. Rasheeda Taliaferro Monroe highlights the critical connection between housing quality and health outcomes, particularly for low-income families. She emphasizes RALT’s work in providing affordable, stable housing and promoting health equity through community land trusts.
Op-Ed: Home Is Where Health Begins | IndyWeek
June 12, 2024 - INDYweek published our board member’s opinion article on the connection between housing and health. In the piece, Dr. Monroe leans on her experience as a physician and her passion for affordable housing to provide insight on the power of housing as a social determinant of health.
Opinion: James Watson’s inspiring story highlights the power of affordable homeownership | Cardinal & Pine
May 2, 2024 - Cardinal and Pine published our Executive Director’s opinion article on how James Watson, a 62-year-old Raleigh native and Army veteran, achieved his dream of homeownership with the help of the Raleigh Area Land Trust. Watson's story illustrates the impact of community land trusts in providing stability and fostering community connections, highlighting the importance of affordable housing initiatives.
Raleigh Nonprofit Raises $8.3 Million for City’s First Cottage Court to Expand Affordable Housing | Indyweek
April 24, 2024 - Raleigh Area Land Trust secured $8.3 million to develop the Cottages of Idlewild, the city's first cottage court aimed at expanding affordable housing in Raleigh. Scheduled for completion in 2025, the project addresses economic and systemic barriers to homeownership, particularly for marginalized communities. With a shared equity model and community land trust ownership, the development offers affordable housing and rental opportunities, fostering long-term stability and inclusivity in the Idlewild neighborhood.
Kevin Campbell, Raleigh Area Land Trust Interview | WPTF Morning Show
April 19, 2024 - Kevin Campbell, our Executive Director of the Raleigh Area Land Trust, shares how we are helping to shape the housing landscape in Wake County. Kevin joined the WPTF Morning Show to talk more about our goal of building 100 homes in 5 years and share how the community can help support those efforts through donations.
Teaming up with levelle moton to build affordable homes | News & Observer
April 2, 2024 - Teaming up with LeVelle Moton and Haven Design | Build, Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT) has secured $8.3 million to construct 18 affordable homes, featuring a mix of rental units and homes for sale, with a focus on preserving the neighborhood's rich history and combating gentrification.
Affordable homeownership coming to Wake County with cottages in historic area | CBS-17
March 31, 2024 - In Wake County's historic Idlewild area, the Raleigh Area Land Trust has secured $8.3 million to develop 18 affordable homes, aiming to address the pressing need for affordable housing. With support from Raleigh, construction is set to begin this summer, with families expected to move in by the end of next year, and a long-term goal of constructing 100 homes over the next five years to maintain affordability in the neighborhood.
Raleigh affordable housing projects progress with city funding | Triangle Tribune
February 28, 2024 - Explore how partnerships with organizations like Raleigh Raised Development are bringing forth innovative projects like The Cottages of Idlewild, aiming to revitalize historic communities and address racial equity in housing.
Raleigh sold property for $1. Here's what the affordable homes will cost | Triangle Business Journal
February 9, 2024 - Downtown Raleigh is set to welcome affordable homes priced no higher than $215,000, as the Raleigh Area Land Trust and Raleigh Raised Development secure unanimous approval for $700,000 in gap funding from the Raleigh City Council. With construction anticipated to begin in May and completion expected by 2025, the initiative aims to provide sustainable homeownership opportunities for residents earning between 50 to 60 percent of the area median income.
City Invests in First Affordable Cottage Court Development | Raleighnc.gov
February 8, 2024 - Raleigh City Council's recent decision on February 6th advanced the development of The Cottages of Idlewild, Raleigh's inaugural affordable "cottage court" community led by the Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT). With plans for 18 affordable housing units catering to lower-income residents, the project aims to address housing affordability challenges, offering opportunities for up to 200 individuals over the next three decades.
NCCU basketball coach's affordable housing project for Raleigh receives more funding | WRAL
February 7, 2024 - North Carolina Central University basketball coach LeVelle Moton's collaboration with the Raleigh Area Land Trust to develop 1.8 acres into 18 cottage-style homes will provide affordable homeownership opportunities and revitalize the Idlewild community's legacy. The project reflects a commitment to rectify historical inequities and empower future generations through sustainable homeownership, exemplifying a meaningful response to past challenges.
NC Central basketball coach LeVelle Moton focused on making homeownership a reality in southeast Raleigh | CBS 17
February 6, 2024 - Teaming up with the Raleigh Area Land Trust, North Carolina Central University basketball coach LeVelle Moton aims to offer 18 cottage-style units for sale and rent, addressing long standing disparities in homeownership and income rates while honoring the area's historical significance.
At 62, Raleigh veteran purchases his first home at ‘fair-market value.’ Here’s how | News & Observer
November 8, 2023 - James Watson, 62, a veteran and lifelong Raleigh resident, is the first to buy a home through the Raleigh Area Land Trust, which provides homeownership opportunities to individuals and families earning between 50-80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Wake County.
Veteran takes part in housing milestone in Raleigh | Spectrum News
June 20, 2023 - Raleigh Area Land Trust achieves a significant milestone with the sale of its first home to Army veteran James Watson, marking a key step in our mission to provide affordable housing for low-to-moderate income families in Wake County.
Affordable cottage court development coming to DT Raleigh | Triangle Tribune
November 11, 2022 - The Cottages of Idlewild, a 17-unit affordable housing development in downtown Raleigh, aims to provide housing opportunities for first-time homebuyers at 50% to 60% of the area median income, with plans for 13 units for sale and four rental units. Led by the Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT) and Raleigh Raised Development, the project emphasizes community-building with common areas and mixed-income diversity.
For LeVelle Moton, playing the game of life means rebuilding his Idlewild neighborhood in North Carolina | Andscape
October 22, 2021 - The Cottages of Idlewild, in collaboration with the Raleigh Area Land Trust, reflects LeVelle Moton’s dedication to creating opportunities and restoring community resilience.
NCCU basketball coach to bring affordable housing to historic Black neighborhood where he grew up | WRAL
July 21, 2021 - In Raleigh's West Idlewild neighborhood, a plot of land valued at $1.45 million was sold for $1, where the Cottages of Idlewild subdivision will be built as part of efforts to increase affordable housing. With 13 units for sale to those making 50-60% of the area's median income and four units for those making 80% or below, the initiative seeks community support to fund development through the Raleigh Area Land Trust.