October 19, 2025 Newsletter

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“ADUs by the Numbers” Spotlights Raleigh’s Growing Accessory Dwelling Unit Trend

WakeUP Wake County, RaleighForward and CITYBUILDER hosted “ADUs by the Numbers” on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the AIA North Carolina Center for Architecture and Design in downtown Raleigh. The event brought together residents, housing advocates, policymakers, and design professionals for a discussion on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), or small, secondary homes built on the same lot as a primary residence.

Through interactive presentations and panel discussions, “ADUs by the Numbers” explored how Raleigh’s ADU ordinance performed over the past five years, highlighting key trends in permitting, construction costs, financing, and neighborhood distribution. Presenters shared preliminary findings from new research that examines where ADUs are being built, who is building them, and how they contribute to expanding housing choices across the city.

Panelists also discussed opportunities to improve the permitting and financing process to make ADUs more accessible for homeowners and renters alike. The event concluded with a call to action for attendees to participate in the ongoing ADU Community Survey, designed to capture local experiences and ideas for the next phase of policy refinement.

The findings and recommendations of the survey will be released in early 2026.

To take the survey, click here.

Save the Date: Annual Reception with WakeUP Wake County on December 4th

Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Jenny Schuetz, a prolific writer on housing markets and author of the book, Fixer Upper: How to Repair America’s Broken Housing Systems.

Save your seats now! Tickets are available here.

Junction West
Downtown Raleigh
310 S West Street, Suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27603

As in the past, this is a gathering of friends who share a vision of a sustainable and equitable region. WakeUP Wake County’s Executive Director Bert Fox, Board Chair Thomas Barrie, and RaleighForward’s Director Eric Braun will present WakeUP’s and RaleighForward’s plans for education and advocacy priorities in 2026. Connect with like-minded people and enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and refreshments from the bar.

Articles and Resources of interest:

1. Raleigh Rethinks how it Grows.

2. As Downtown South Waits, More Housing is Proposed Nearby.

3. Making Home Ownership More Affordable.

4. Austin, Salt Lake City Top Global List of Most Affordable Cities.

5. Modern Multifamily Buildings Provide the Most Fire Protection.

6. With Roles as Civic Hubs, Libraries Turn Over a New Page.

7. Nashville’s Rent Prices Drop as Apartments Sit Empty and New Complexes Offer Huge Incentives.

8. Tiny Homes Aim to Address Shortage on Lakota reservation.

9. The Case for Manufactured Housing.

10. What is America’s Infrastructure Cost Problem?

From the Data Department:

1. North Carolina Demographer: Raleigh surpassed 500,000 people in 2024

2. Part Six in Phil Veasley’s series exploring the possibilities of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) for Raleigh’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system: Northern Arc BRT Station Area Planning – Crabtree Valley and Glenwood Place.

Items of Interest in the Week Ahead:

Raleigh City Council meets on October 21st. Here are some items of interest:

1. During the 11:30 Council Work Session, staff with provide and update on the Greenway Master Plan and Land Use Implementation Updates.

2. Staff will present Council with 12-month Annexation Policy Resolution designating priority annexation areas.

3. Council will be asked to approve the design for the planned Southpark Heritage Trail.

4. Staff will ask Council to approve the design for the Big Branch Greenway Connector Trail.

Other items of interest:

1. The City is seeking public input on budget priorities for its next budget year. Please consider taking the survey.

2. Raleigh becomes the first city in NC to power its buses using natural gas derived from its wastewater treatment plant.

3. Click here for the latest City Manager Report.