On June 2, the Raleigh City Council will be voting on a proposed $80 million affordable housing bond that will impact the city for five years if passed this November. Congregations for Social Justice (CSJ), of which CUCC is a member, is concerned that the bond does not currently target residents who are most in need of affordable housing. If you share their concerns, please take two minutes (literally!) to send the letter below via email to Mayor Baldwin, City Council members and their staffs. If you have questions about the bond, please contact CSJ members Adrienne Little (919-781-0829) or Merrilee Jacobson (919-274-4539).
Sample letter to be sent to citycouncilmembers@raleighnc.gov and mayorstaff@raleighnc.gov with a copy to councilstaff@raleighnc.gov
Dear Mayor Baldwin and Raleigh City Council members,
On June 2, please vote in favor of an affordable housing bond that targets our neighbors living at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI).
I am especially concerned about these neighbors because:
· AMI in Raleigh is $92,700 for a family of four
· 50% of AMI (which is considered by HUD to be “very low income”) is $46,350
· 30% of AMI (which is considered by HUD to be “extremely low income”) is $27,810
· $10/hour for 40 hours/week is $20,800, which is 22% of AMI
· Minimum wage in NC for 40 hours/week is $15,080/year, which is 16% of AMI
The Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), which is typically used to develop affordable housing, rarely targets incomes below 50% of AMI. Between 2015 and 2019, only 319 of 2,709 apartments built in Raleigh (11.7%) targeted persons at 50% of AMI and below. This means the city must find additional strategies and resources to develop housing for those at 30% of AMI and below, our neighbors with the greatest need.
Addressing affordable housing should not be limited to this bond. It should be an integral part of the city’s growth strategy and spending since this bond will assist only a fraction of Raleigh residents in need of housing they can afford.
Thank you for listening.
[Your Name]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Phone number – optional]
Sample letter to be sent to citycouncilmembers@raleighnc.gov and mayorstaff@raleighnc.gov with a copy to councilstaff@raleighnc.gov
Dear Mayor Baldwin and Raleigh City Council members,
On June 2, please vote in favor of an affordable housing bond that targets our neighbors living at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI).
I am especially concerned about these neighbors because:
· AMI in Raleigh is $92,700 for a family of four
· 50% of AMI (which is considered by HUD to be “very low income”) is $46,350
· 30% of AMI (which is considered by HUD to be “extremely low income”) is $27,810
· $10/hour for 40 hours/week is $20,800, which is 22% of AMI
· Minimum wage in NC for 40 hours/week is $15,080/year, which is 16% of AMI
The Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), which is typically used to develop affordable housing, rarely targets incomes below 50% of AMI. Between 2015 and 2019, only 319 of 2,709 apartments built in Raleigh (11.7%) targeted persons at 50% of AMI and below. This means the city must find additional strategies and resources to develop housing for those at 30% of AMI and below, our neighbors with the greatest need.
Addressing affordable housing should not be limited to this bond. It should be an integral part of the city’s growth strategy and spending since this bond will assist only a fraction of Raleigh residents in need of housing they can afford.
Thank you for listening.
[Your Name]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Phone number – optional]