The following piece is a republication from the Oct 18th edition of Raleigh Forward’s biweekly newsletter, the RaleighForward Roundup.
Sneak Peek: What Residents Think About Housing Affordability
As Raleigh continues to grow, housing affordability remains one of the most defining issues facing our city. With the upcoming November City Council election just around the corner and an initial draft of Raleigh’s new Comprehensive Plan slated for release this coming Spring, understanding how residents across each Council District view the City’s housing market is more critical than ever.
To capture a true snapshot of public opinion, RaleighForward commissioned a survey of more than 1500 residents across all five City Council districts. The survey was conducted between September 29 and October 7, 2026, with a citywide margin of error of ±2.5 points. Today, we are excited to offer a limited first look at the results!
High-Level Takeaways: A Resounding Public Consensus
While Raleigh residents widely celebrate the City’s investments in quality-of-life amenities like parks, dining, and transit service, the data reveals a powerful, Citywide consensus around housing availability and affordability:
Affordability Anxiety Crosses Every District: Nearly 88% of respondents express concern about housing affordability in Raleigh today, with 62.8% reporting they are extremely or very concerned.
The Impact Hits Home: More than 71% of respondents report that a shortage of affordable housing has impacted them personally or affected a family member or close friend.
A Demand for More: Over 67% of respondents state the City simply does not have enough housing options to meet the needs of residents across different income levels and family sizes.
In Their Own Words: What Residents Are Saying
Behind the percentages are the real, lived experiences of Raleigh neighbors:
“Many friends are unable to afford buying a home in Raleigh despite above average incomes due to high costs, high interest rates & other expenses like student loans.”
— Raleigh Survey Respondent
“2 of my adult sons still live with my husband and I in order to save money so that they can afford to get out on their own. Cost of rentals and housing is unattainable for someone just starting out in employment.”
— Raleigh Survey Respondent
“Many friends have to live far outside of town and commute to Raleigh.”
— Raleigh Survey Respondent
What Comes Next?
While the upcoming November election will decide who sits on City Council, the real policy work lies ahead in shaping Raleigh’s future. As City staff prepare to release an initial draft of Raleigh’s next Comprehensive Plan in early 2027, these polling results provide a roadmap for building momentum behind thoughtful, pro-housing solutions.
We will release the full, granular polling analysis, including district-by-district breakdowns and detailed policy crosstabs at upcoming events hosted with WakeUp Wake County and CITYBUILDER featuring expert presentation and analysis directly from the polling firm.
This piece was originally published on Raleigh Forward, and is republished via content sharing agreement.
Eric Braun is a retired land use attorney dedicated to advancing equitable housing policies in Raleigh. He continues to serve the community, and currently sits on the Raleigh Housing Authority, and has previously chaired the Raleigh Planning Commission. Eric writes thoughtful commentary on housing, transit, and local governance at RaleighForward.