Happy November, CITYBUILDERs! We have a HUGE month ahead!
After months of planning, we’re welcoming the national pro-housing community to Raleigh for YIMBYtown 2026! We’re incredibly excited to bring more than 1,000 housing advocates, policymakers, planners, developers, and community builders to North Carolina for three days of learning, connecting, and sharing ideas about how to build more homes and stronger communities.
But YIMBYtown isn’t the only thing happening this month. Our friends at WakeUP Wake County are hosting two opportunities to learn about accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and HOPE NC is bringing people together for its annual Inclusive Housing Summit.
Plus, the midterm election is this Tuesday, November 3rd! If you didn’t vote early, Election Day is your last chance to cast your ballot in local, state, and federal races. Unsure how to vote? Check out CITYBUILDER’s Housing Report Cards for Raleigh candidates. If you’re outside of Raleigh, there are important candidates on your ballot as well. And across North Carolina, we urge everyone to vote against the constitutional amendments that are on the ballot.
Whether you’re interested in housing policy, neighborhood design, affordable housing, or simply meeting others who care about the future of our communities, we have an event for you! If you’ve been holding out to get your tickets to YIMBYtown, or you think you may be too busy to attend, we hope you’ll take advantage of our one-day passes for folks who can’t commit to the full three days. We also have student tickets available (only $75!); please share this opportunity with students in your life who are curious about housing and building a better future for all.
We hope you’ll join us!
Charlotte Chapman
CITYBUILDER
YIMBYTOWN 2026 in Raleigh!
Tuesday, November 17 – Thursday, November 19
Raleigh Convention Center | Downtown Raleigh
It’s here! The nation’s largest pro-housing conference is coming to the South for the first time, hosted right here in Raleigh by CITYBUILDER and our incredible coalition of local partners.
Over three days, we’ll welcome more than 1,000 people from across the country for inspiring speakers, practical workshops, strategic conversations, and plenty of opportunities to connect.
This year’s theme is Y’all in My Backyard; bringing a little Southern hospitality to the national pro-housing movement. We’ll explore everything from housing policy and zoning reform to transportation, grassroots organizing, housing stability, and the real-world work of getting more homes built.
Whether you’re a longtime housing advocate or just getting started, come be part of the conversation!
EVENTS WITH CITYBUILDER
Single-stair Construction: More Safety, Less Cost
Thursday, November 5 | 12PM - 1PM
Virtual Panel: RSVP here
Did you know that people across the country are working with local governments to re-legalize single-stair construction? North Carolina might be the next state to allow this great form of housing. Join our expert panel to learn how single-stair construction can decrease housing costs while improving safety for residents.
Panelists:
Alex Horowitz – Pew Charitable Trusts and Single Stair Researcher
Chris Wells – NC Fire Marshals
Ben Cappellacci – Builder and Single Stair Advocate
Facilitator:
Nicole Quick – Director of Government Relations at Building NC’s Next Chapter
EVENTS WITH FRIENDS
Small Scale Development Workshop with the Incremental Development Alliance
Friday, November 20 | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Junction West | 310 S. West Street, Suite 110, Raleigh
Ever wondered what it takes to become a small-scale real estate developer? Join the Incremental Development Alliance for a full-day, hands-on workshop exploring how to create financially viable development projects that strengthen our neighborhoods.
Designed for aspiring developers, neighborhood leaders, and city staff, this workshop will cover how to identify promising projects, understand the financial realities of development, and navigate the network of professionals who help bring projects to life.
Whether you’re interested in building something yourself or simply want to better understand how small-scale development works, this is a great opportunity to learn from national experts and connect with others working to create better places.
Breakfast and lunch are included.
YIMBYtown attendees receive a special discount! Contact rquednau@incrementaldevelopment.org for the discount code.
ADU Community Workshop & Tour
Community ADU Workshop
Thursday, November 12 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM
John Chavis Memorial Park Reception Hall
505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Raleigh
Curious about accessory dwelling units (ADUs)? This workshop is for Wake County residents interested in learning more about ADUs and how they can create additional housing options in our communities.
The evening will include general ADU education, informational sessions, and opportunities to connect with qualified architects for design consultations.
This event is hosted by WakeUP Wake County in partnership with BLWall Consulting, with support from the AARP Community Challenge Grant and the City of Raleigh Impact Partner Grant.
Community ADU Tour
Saturday, November 14 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Raleigh, NC
See accessory dwelling units in action! WakeUP Wake County and BLWall Consulting are hosting a community tour showcasing five ADUs around the area.
It’s a chance to see how these smaller homes are designed, built, and incorporated into existing neighborhoods, and to learn more about the possibilities for adding housing choices throughout Wake County.
A SOBERING CENTENNIAL TO END HOUSING MONTH
100 Years of Zoning: Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co.
Sunday, November 22
November also marks the 100th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co., the 1926 case that established the constitutionality of exclusionary zoning in the United States.
It’s a fitting moment to reflect on how a century of zoning has shaped our neighborhoods, housing choices, and communities… and what the next hundred years could look like.
Who Gets to Live Here?
The rules governing where we build and how we live were never just about land use. Although zoning is often presented today as a neutral planning tool, history tells us a different story.
LOOKING AHEAD
CITYBUILDER BOOK CLUB - DECEMBER - MEMBERS ONLY EDITION!
In December, our monthly book club will be for paid CITYBUILDER subscribers only. If you’re only seeing CITYBUILDER’s free content, now is a great time to upgrade to a paid membership (for less than $10 a month) and get the members-only info for this event. Paid members also get access to our Bigger Picture series, plus important news and information we publish only for our paid subscribers. Support our work with this contribution today.