NC Newline: Gov. Josh Stein joins panel to discuss, debate housing affordability and supply crisis
High construction costs, labor shortages and supply chain issues all contribute to soaring housing costs and supply shortages, Gov. Josh Stein said Tuesday. But the state’s growing popularity as a destination for transplants is also a big part of the problem, Stein said.
When people move to North Carolina, Stein said, they need a place to stay and when there is a shortage of available units, newcomers, who often come with higher salaries and larger bank accounts, are willing to pay more for housing.
“And then it means everybody else is left to struggle,” he said.said.
Gov. Josh Stein. Photo: Greg Childress
By: Greg Childress @ NC Newsline
Tuesday’s meeting was an opportunity for Stein to discuss solutions to the housing crisis with housing experts and local officials and to consider legislation and public policy initiatives to speed up the building process to boost the state’s housing supply.
“Our state is growing, and people need a safe and affordable place to live,” Stein said. “We will remain focused on identifying solutions to lower the cost of housing for North Carolinians at every stage of life and work to ensure every person has a safe place to call home.”
The housing crisis in North Carolina is real. The state faces a five-year housing inventory gap of 764,478 units (322,360 rental units and 442,118 for-sale units), according to a recent statewide report commissioned by the NC Chamber Foundation, NC REALTORS and the N.C. Homebuilders Association.
Story continued at NC Newsline
NEWS & OBSERVER: Open for decades, Raleigh’s oldest golf center will close to make way for development
Wake County’s rapid growth in the last few years has brought out even more people to play golf, take lessons and swing endlessly on the driving range, on which a scene of “Bull Durham” was once filmed.
But that growth will soon bring an end to the activities in Raleigh’s oldest golf center, loved by longtime members and beginners alike.
Garner Impact: The headline says Raleigh but this is actually in Garner’s planning jurisdiction and affects Garner residents. Over 1000 residents have signed a petition opposing the rezoning. See it HERE
Garner Impact
Garner Impact: The headline says Raleigh but this is actually in Garner’s planning jurisdiction and affects Garner residents. Over 1000 residents have signed a petition opposing the rezoning. See it HERE
Read in News & Observer: HERE
By Aaron Sánchez-Guerra
AUGUST 24, 2022
On most afternoons, golf balls sail through the air and roll across the grassy expanse of 401 Par Golf on Fayetteville Road, where the sounds of nature mix in with the whooshes of swinging clubs.
Wake County’s rapid growth in the last few years has brought out even more people to play golf, take lessons and swing endlessly on the driving range, on which a scene of “Bull Durham” was once filmed.
Highlights
A golf school, a golf gear store and the first Pelican’s SnoBalls shaved ice shop to open — businesses housed within the Par Golf property — have to close by December to make way for the development.
The development has not been approved yet by the town of Garner. A request has been submitted to rezone the land to allow for high-density building. The timeline is unclear of when it will move forward to a public hearing with the town council, but residents already have started expressing concerns about a shift to dense development in the area.
“Having an affordable, easygoing place where you can go where you’re not judged, and everybody is friendly, it’s hard to find that type of thing,” said Kristan, 63. “It’ll be difficult for people around here. ... A friend of mine said the other day, ‘If you go out of business, I’m going to have to drive 45 minutes to hit a bucket of balls.’ That’s insane.”
Existing single-family homes currently surround the property. The land is federally designated as an Opportunity Zone, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which means that SLI Capital could qualify for economic incentives for building on the land.
Read in News & Observer: HERE
NEWS & OBSERVER: N.C. city sees a nearly 75% increase in rent prices for a one-bedroom apartment
Greensboro one bedrooms are 75% higher than they were at this time last year. Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Cary and Winston Salem also see rent increases.
Garner Impact: Garner has also seen similar dramatic increases which has impacted the town’s housing affordability for teachers, government employees, police, fire, and other working class families.
A mailbox unit at South Pointe Apartments in Greensboro. JASON DEBRUYN WUNC
Garner Impact
Garner has also seen similar dramatic increases which has impacted the town’s housing affordability for teachers, government employees, police, fire, and other working class families.
Read in News & Observer: HERE
UPDATED AUGUST 26, 2022 12:23 PM
Greensboro one bedrooms are 75% higher than they were at this time last year. Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Cary and Winston Salem also see rent increases.
Highlights
ONE-BEDROOM RENT INCREASES IN THE TRIANGLE Greensboro saw the largest increase in one-bedroom rent prices year-over-year, out of all the cities listed in this report.
• Greensboro: At $1,289 on average in July 2022, Greensboro one-bedroom units are 74.2% more expensive than they were last year. Raleigh also made the top-10 list for largest increases to one-bedroom prices year-over-year, coming in as the fifth largest increase.
• Raleigh: At $1,840 on average in July 2022, Raleigh one-bedroom units are 42.1% more expensive than they were last year. Here’s how other listed North Carolina spots compare for one-bedrooms:
Charlotte: $1,596 on average in July 2022. This is over 23% more expensive than last year.
Durham: $1,539 on average in July 2022. This is over 33% more expensive than last year.
Winston-Salem: $1,293 on average in July 2022. This is over 22% more expensive than last year.
Josie Williams, executive director of the Greensboro Housing Coalition, says she’s seen a significant increase in homelessness and those at risk of homelessness over the past year.
“A 75% increase in rent prices isn’t only consistent with what we’re seeing… it’s getting worse,” she said. “I’ve seen rent increase from $600 to $900. I’ve seen rent increase from $550 to $1030. And we don’t have an excess supply of housing for people getting priced out of their homes to go somewhere else.”
Read in News & Observer: HERE