Corey Branch
Name: Corey Branch
Which office are you seeking? City Council District C
Campaign website: www.coreybranch.com
Social media: @corey4districtc (IG & X)
The income of many households in Raleigh is too high to qualify for income-restricted/subsidized housing, yet these residents are cost-burdened by climbing prices and rents across market-rate housing. Explain at least 2 policies you will seek to implement to address the rising costs of market-rate housing in Raleigh.
I would strengthen our Missing Middle policy to encourage development in new mixed-use
communities, ensuring that housing diversity meets the needs of all residents. Additionally, I would focus on redeveloping old shopping centers to include affordable housing options, increasing the inventory for homeownership to help stabilize market prices.
What is an issue in Raleigh that deserves critical attention, but isn't talked about much in the media or the community because it's not sensational or obviously apparent?
Job training and skill development for residents aged 16-25 deserve more attention as a proactive way to reduce crime and support our youth. Additionally, we need increased funding to help seniors stay in their homes through partnerships that provide essential services. I also want to focus on providing emergency assistance to small business owners who are following the rules but need help during unexpected challenges.
How will you balance the interests of individuals with those of the general public? Especially when voting on an issue that will negatively impact a small, but vocal group of residents, but which offers significant benefits to the general public?
I’ve faced this challenge on the council before, and my approach is to gather information from multiple sources to fully understand the community's perspective. My goal is always to make decisions that reflect the overall interests of the community, while considering the concerns of those directly impacted.
Should Council allow more Missing Middle housing (duplex, triplex, townhomes and small apartment buildings) to be built in the City? If yes, how would you accomplish this? If not, why not?
Yes, Missing Middle housing should be allowed citywide, but we need to ensure that the added density fits the character of each neighborhood. I support making thoughtful modifications to our Missing Middle policy to preserve community fabric while
providing diverse housing options that have been part of our city’s heritage.
Should the City continue investing in Bus Rapid Transit? If so, what additional investments and/or land use regulatory changes should the City make to support the successful implementation of the Western and Southern corridors? If no, why?
Yes, we should continue investing in Bus Rapid Transit as it enhances our transit system. To support its success, we need to invest in sidewalks, expand cross-town routes, and ensure diverse and affordable housing options along the Western and Southern corridors.
What is your vision for how Raleigh’s built environment should evolve over the next 10 years?
In the next 10 years, I envision Raleigh redeveloping old shopping centers into mixed-use spaces with retail and housing. We’ll need to adapt to the evolving job market, including hybrid work schedules, and plan for the impact of I-540 on the southeastern side of Raleigh and neighboring communities. Downtown will continue to grow with new hotels, an expanded convention center, developments like Downtown South, and Dix Park. Our investments in bus rapid transit and regional rail will enhance connectivity, and I want to ensure that current residents benefit from these improvements.
How would you change the way the City's Office of Community Engagement operates?
I believe the Office of Community Engagement is a valuable resource and should be utilized more by other departments to enhance overall community engagement. The office has proven its effectiveness, and I support giving them the space and opportunity to continue their good work. At this time, I don’t see the need for changes; instead, I would encourage other departments to collaborate with them more frequently.
Should the City preserve existing moderately priced housing (Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing) to help slow the rate of resident displacement? If yes, please provide 2-3 specific policies that you would ask your fellow Councilors to support. If no, what other policies do you support to address resident displacement?
Yes, I support preserving safe, Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing, especially when it’s in good condition and well-located. Key factors include the number of families affected, the impact on the community’s character, and proximity to transit. Additionally, I’d advocate for leveraging low-income housing tax credits to fund new developments that could replace or complement existing affordable housing, ensuring we use resources wisely for the greatest community benefit.