A project looks to add a new hotel, more retail space and an affordable housing development for Moore Square in downtown Raleigh.
The project is adding 160 more affordable housing units for as low as $568 per month to Moore Square, an area often in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Higher-end units would rent for more than $2,200 per month.
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City of Raleigh assistant director of housing and neighborhoods Erika Brandt said the higher rent total is due to high incomes for people in the city and surrounding areas.
“Also, you have to think about those are for like, more bedrooms, right?” Brandt said. “A larger unit for folks at the upper or 70% or 80% median income."
Brandt said the units will be split up for Raleigh residents who earn between 30% and 80% of the area's median income.
- They will be available to a single person making less than $59,900 per year.
- They will also be available for a family of three, who makes less than $77,070 per year.
“Those are the folks who need it the most, right?” Brandt said. “They're the ones who are having the hardest time paying their rent or saving up to buy a home.”
U.S. Census data shows Raleigh had a median income of $86,309 as of 2023.
The Raleigh City Council approved $15.7 million to construct the units in the Moore Square area.
The apartments will be split by:
- 51 one-bedroom units
- 77 two-bedroom units
- 32 three-bedroom units
The city will utilize these three spaces as part of the project. The plan is to put the housing units at the corner of Bloodworth and Martin streets.
Raleigh resident Tai Collins and her friend Jack think Moore Square shows the evolution of the neighborhood.
“I think it used to be a place where people congregated at night who were struggling,” Jack said.
“I think that just bringing more opportunity and more life to that area of downtown is going to help,” Brandt said.
Brandt said city leaders hope the plans for affordable housing will change the perception of Moore Square.
Despite improvements in crime downtown compared to last year, Raleigh police data shows thefts from vehicles, weapons violations and stolen vehicles are much higher than they were five years ago.
“By providing affordable housing, hopefully, allowing folks to have a more stable platform, we should see a reduction in crime because of that,” Brandt said.