Megan Patton
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.
It is true - not only for housing, but in other spheres - many families are not income eligible for government programs, but struggle to afford market rates.
First, we need to invest in public transit to lower transportation costs. When we make it easier and more affordable for people to get around, we relieve some of the financial pressures that come with a higher cost of living, like groceries and rent. By expanding reliable transit options, we can also help working families save money and stay in their homes.
I will also work to expand opportunities for single-room occupancies (SROs) in mixed-use districts. We must think creatively to increase housing options that are affordable and accessible to all income levels. SROs are a practical solution that can provide more affordable living spaces in areas close to jobs and services.
Beyond that, we must work to offer competitive wages, benefits, safe working conditions, and career growth opportunities. From my seat on the Raleigh City Council, I’ve already worked with my colleagues to raise pay for city workers, as well as folks whose pay is determined by the City of Raleigh like taxi drivers. In addition to that, we’re conducting a comprehensive Pay Study to determine how competitive our pay is compared to the market. In the most recent budget, we earmarked an additional penny of property tax (worth roughly $11M) to implement the results of the pay study in a timely manner.
And though it’s not a direct policy, I fully support the work of others in their agencies, like the State Attorney General’s office, to investigate rent inflation by price-setting websites like RealPage. We need to ensure that market manipulation isn’t driving up housing costs, and I’ll stand with those who are fighting to protect renters from unfair practices.
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?
One critical issue that urgently needs more attention in Raleigh is improving response times for emergency services, especially fire services, as this directly impacts home insurance rates and community safety.
I championed the initiation of the Fire Master Plan, which will assess our needs for new fire stations, updated apparatuses, and enhanced interlocal partnerships. This plan is crucial to ensure that emergency responders can reach those in need swiftly and effectively. We must invest in these essential services to protect our community and maintain our quality of life.
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?
Local government decisions often involve weighing trade-offs rather than clear-cut right or wrong answers. It’s crucial to directly address these trade-offs when engaging with both small groups and broader audiences.
Raleigh is home to no shortage of insightful or creative residents, and we have the opportunity to find compromises and solutions that address concerns while achieving public benefits. We must avoid falling into the trap of false choices and binary thinking, and instead focus on practical solutions that serve our community's diverse needs.
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?
Raleigh's Missing Middle ordinance has made strides in increasing housing availability, but we must ensure that the Frequent Transit Development Option — designed to promote affordable housing without government subsidies — achieves its potential.
Now, two years in, it's time to establish a systematic process for reviewing and refining the ordinance. We’ve heard from residents near Missing Middle developments who have valuable ideas for improvements, and builders have indicated that some provisions have led them to pursue rezoning instead.
Implementing a regular feedback loop and making necessary policy adjustments will help us better meet community needs and enhance the effectiveness of our housing strategy.
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?
Raleigh should definitely continue investing in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and I’m personally proud of our approach to the complex Transit Overlay District for New Bern Avenue. I hope we will apply some of the same strategies on the remaining TOD decisions. Instead of taking huge swaths at a time, we should start with areas ready for redevelopment, such as mixed-use zones and vacant land, and then carefully address residential areas.
Additionally, I’m committed to accelerating the North BRT line, which serves Triangle Town Center. The existing Route 1 has some of the highest ridership in the city. While the land use along this corridor will be straightforward, working with DOT will be more challenging but is essential for improving transit accessibility and efficiency.
What is your vision for how Raleigh’s built environment should evolve over the next 10 years?
Over the next decade, we should focus on building a Raleigh that future generations will thank us for. This means expanding connectivity to improve emergency service delivery and alleviate traffic congestion. We also need more mixed-use spaces where residents can park once and handle multiple errands or enjoy their time. Our city must recognize the ongoing role of cars while prioritizing people — incorporating ample shade, above-and-beyond ADA accessibility, and universal design principles to accommodate everyone.
Investing further in tree canopy and green building technologies will enhance our climate resilience while ensuring that Raleigh remains a vibrant and sustainable city.
How would you change the way the City's Office of Community Engagement operates?
The Raleigh Office of Community Engagement is doing great work, but there’s more we can do to connect with our residents where they are.
We need to expand our outreach beyond traditional methods to include digital and asynchronous channels. This means enhancing our social media presence with interactive content, engaging more actively on the radio, and collaborating with people through dynamic and engaging platforms.
I’m also committed to exploring new tools like Citizen Assemblies. While presentation and Q&A formats have their place, we need to employ a variety of strategies to move conversations from binary choices to meaningful discussions about trade-offs. This approach will help us better represent the diverse voices of our community and ensure that our policy decisions reflect the true will of the people.
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, Raleigh must absolutely preserve existing moderately priced housing to mitigate resident displacement.
One effective approach is to continue investing in the county’s preservation fund, which helps maintain these vital resources. Additionally, we should develop a Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) guidebook for builders and landlords. This guide would provide clear strategies for redeveloping NOAH properties in alignment with Raleigh’s values, including information on potential relevant funding opportunities and best practices.
Moreover, exploring overlay districts in areas with significant NOAH concentrations could be useful. By utilizing the Unified Development Ordinance, we could ensure that redevelopment projects include a commitment to replacing units at comparable price points, preserving affordable housing options for our community.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you or your campaign? (Optional)
The past two years have been the honor of a lifetime. I am proud of the big and small ways I’ve been able to serve the residents of Raleigh, and grateful to have been surrounded by so many folks who also want to be of service.
I believe I’ve governed in line with the values I ran on and I will again in the term ahead. I know Raleigh can be a city for everyone — one with ample affordable housing, one with an eye to climate justice, and one where residents feel confident their government has their back. I work hard to listen to all voices and find opportunities for compromise - to govern in a way that values the experience of long-term residents while making room for newcomers.
I remain open to and engaged with my constituents, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue shaping our incredible city.