July 3: What we’re reading
Five articles we found interesting this week:
1. This quote strikes at the heart of RaleighForward’s Mission: “The future of urban housing politics rests on whether high-income tenants and marginalized communities will work together to build an equitable policy landscape or whether one or both will continue to be instrumentalized in the pursuit of keeping everything the same.” If you found this quote interesting, take a look at the full article from The Atlantic: The Real Villain in the Gentrification Story.
2. This article is timely in light of comments by Planning Commission members regarding apparent efforts to intimidate Raleigh staff and Planning Commission members as mentioned during Planning Commission’s June 28 meeting. Navigate to 42:32 on this video for more context. Raleigh must not allow divisive rhetoric and intimidation of staff and volunteers to interfere with the diligent work and commitment of the City’s professional staff, as well as the residents serving on its board and commissions.
Bloomberg: Why Local Officials Are Facing Growing Harassment and Threats
3. No one can dispute that income inequality is creating a drag on the economic vitality and prosperity of many cities, including Raleigh. Dan Barkin, with Business North Carolina Magazine, summarized a recent panel discussion sponsored by the Richmond Federal Reserve. Read the full article from Business NC: Fed Panel views increasing Black wealth as key economic driver. For a deeper dive, watch the full video of the Richmond Fed’s panel discussion, Black White Wealth Gaps.
4. Raleigh recently became only the 24th city in America to eliminate parking minimums, impose parking maximums and require mitigation to exceed those maximums. Read about it in Parking Reform: Raleigh joins ranks of cities with no costly parking mandates.
5. And finally, UNC Charlotte is launching a new research program that pairs academics with community leaders to study opportunities for upward mobility. The Community Innovation Incubator will pair grassroots groups in Charlotte’s “corridors of opportunity” with researchers and students to help devise solutions to community challenges.
WFAE: UNCC research program will focus on community-led ideas for upward mobility.
Bonus read: As funds run out, Raleigh and Wake County are closing out the emergency rental assistance programs tied to the COVID economic crisis. While those funds clearly helped many people, the eviction crisis is ongoing. Local governments are now looking for alternative ways to continue assisting renters facing eviction and homelessness. This article takes a deep dive into the ongoing crisis across America.