As we reflect on 2025, our hearts are full of gratitude for the community that you’ve helped us create. We’re coming off a huge year; 2025 was full of wins, from pro-housing candidates that won elections throughout the region, to the conversations we’re having everyday to change hearts and minds. With your support, we’ve advocated for growth, affordability, and new neighbors around the Triangle.
When we launched in earnest in January 2025, we were hopeful and ready to work hard to gain trust and respect as a new organization. Through your support, we’re ecstatic to have over 8,500 followers across all platforms. Thank you for being on this journey with us.
And we’re just getting started. Looking ahead to 2026, we’re planning more opportunities to learn, engage, and advocate for housing in our communities.
But that’s not all…
We’re thrilled to share that CITYBUILDER has been selected to host the 2026 National YIMBYtown Conference in Raleigh! This event will welcome housing leaders from across the nation and beyond. We can’t wait to show off Raleigh and the progress that we’ve made in the Triangle. More so, this occasion recognizes our communities as leaders in the pro-housing movement. We’re still in the early planning stages, and once we have final dates and registration information, you’ll be the first to know.
Meanwhile, we have lots in store for 2026. Our continued Carolina Policy Talks will feature several series, including:
Spotlights on “Capital A” Affordable Housing to learn more about what goes into building subsidized housing for the lowest incomes, including a live virtual walkthrough of a local project!
Summer School Planning Education Series will take a look at the abundant local planning education offerings throughout the Triangle, from Duke’s Initiative for Urban Studies to NC State’s Pappas MRED, to NC Central’s new Architecture Program, and local trade schools.
Legislative Housing Updates will be covered throughout 2026.
Our Book Club will continue as well. We had a blast with repeat attendees and new faces at our lunches in 2025. In 2026, we’re excited to host local friends to talk about their favorite books on housing and the factors that impact where and how we can build our lives. Here’s a few of our featured discussion leads:
Ben Cappelacci leading discussion on Building for People by Michael Eliason in January
Hannah Moell leading discussion on Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson in February
Nick Neptune leading discussion on The Upswing by Robert D. Putnam in March
Nicholas Chrapliwy leading discussion on Home by Witold Rybezynski in April
And, of course, we’ll be providing full housing-related election coverage of local and state elections!
Thank you for your support in 2025. We are so excited to continue building with you in 2026. I hope to see you soon!
Best,
Charlotte
CITYBUILDER
JANUARY EVENTS WITH CITYBUILDER
CITYBUILDER POLICY TALK: Affordable Housing at Weaver’s Grove, Chapel Hill with Richard Turlington
Tuesday January 20th • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Please RSVP for this virtual talk
Join us to hear more about this Affordable housing project in Chapel Hill. We’ll be joined by Richard Turlington, the VP of Construction of Habitat for Humanity Orange County, for insights into building new Affordable homes.
CITYBUILDER BOOK CLUB: Building for People by Michael Eliason with discussion lead by Ben Cappellacci
Wednesday January 28th • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
PRESS Coffee, Crêpes & Cocktails • 400 Hillsborough St, Suite 108, Raleigh
In Building for People, Michael Eliason argues for designing and building low-carbon, climate-adaptive ecodistricts that prioritize walkability, affordability, social equity, and high quality of life, all while addressing housing shortages and climate change. By drawing on global examples and practical tools, the book shows how planners and designers can create vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods with ample social housing, open space, and infrastructure that supports public health and community resilience.
Ben Cappellacci, former technology professional, local builder and author of the Build Better Places substack, will lead this discussion.
Join us for our first monthly book club of 2026! Reading the book is encouraged but not required for this informal conversation. Attendees are welcome to purchase lunch, and CITYBUILDER will buy your (non-alcoholic) beverage of choice.
CALL TO ACTION: North Hills Rezoning Support Needed!
RALEIGH CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING - Rezoning Z-34-25 — Lassiter Mill Assemblage - North Hills (District A)
Tuesday January 6th • 7:00 PM
Raleigh City Council Chamber • 222 W. Hargett St, Raleigh
Come out and show your support for this dense, infill, tall-tower build in North Hills Raleigh. Support for this project is vital. Find our why in our latest article, From Parking Lot to Midtown: Why North Hills Is the Right Place to Build Tall.
If you are able to speak in support of this project, a sign up is required to do so. As always, the period to sign up to speak at a council meeting opens on the Wednesday morning two weeks prior, and closes at 3 p.m. on the Friday prior to the meeting. If you can speak in support, you must sign up by 3PM on Friday January 2nd. Find out more here.
CALL TO ACTION: Chapel Hill LUMO Text Amendment Discussion
CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING - Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) and Town Code Proposed Text Amendments
Wednesday January 21st • 6:00 PM
Town Hall, Council Chamber (110) • 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill Town Council will continue their discussion regarding a set of proposed text amendments to the Chapel Hill Town Code and Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO), after a tie vote on the issue at the November 19th meeting.
The full agenda for this Regular Council Meeting will be posted 1 week prior to the schedule meeting. Click here for the Council Calendar and more information.
This is occurring during Chapel Hill’s ongoing LUMO re-write process. If you are not able to attend the meeting, please consider writing your Town Council members to express support for housing in Chapel Hill.
ALLIED AND PARTNER EVENTS
RALEIGH STRONG TOWNS MONTHLY MEETUP
Tuesday January 20th • 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM (… directly preceding Yes! In My Triangle)
Weaver Street Market • 404 West Hargett St, Raleigh
Join local neighbors, advocates, and citybuilders for the monthly Raleigh Strong Towns meetup! This casual gathering is a great place to talk about building stronger, more resilient communities, from housing choices and safe streets to local fiscal responsibility.
YES! IN MY TRIANGLE YIMBY MEETUPS IN DURHAM & RALEIGH
IN RALEIGH
Tuesday January 20th • 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM (… directly following Strong Towns!)
Morgan Street Food Hall • 411 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603 US
IN DURHAM
Tuesday January 15th • 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Parts & Labor • 723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham NC 27701
Yes! In My Triangle is our local YIMBY Action chapter that gives voice to residents who believe the Triangle should grow inclusively, sustainably, and affordably. While our region faces skyrocketing housing costs and rapid growth, this group pushes for zoning reform, abundant housing, and walkable communities. Here, advocates organize to counter NIMBY resistance and bring much-needed urgency to local housing debates. Simply put, they’re fighting for a Triangle where more people can afford to live, work, and flourish.