Affordable Knightdale Plan

Affordable Knightdale puts forward a path that will aid in the realization of the Town's ambitious vision for an inclusive, livable, and affordable future. With the guidance and expertise of UNC-Greensboro's Center for Housing & Community Studies, an action-oriented plan was developed that not only prioritizes affordable housing, but emphasizes the importance of inclusive and equitable growth.

Town Council unanimously voted to adopt the plan on March 20, 2024. The Town greatly appreciates all the community engagement throughout the planning process. From housing advocates, the general public, municipal partners, the Housing Committee to Town Administration and Elected Officials, your voices and input were critical to shaping the plan.

Plan Overview:

The following six tasks create a roadmap for the Town to address the affordable housing challenges, with a 10-year implementation goal:

1. Explores the social, economic, and demographic forces that contribute to housing challenges.
2. Describes the meetings with experts and gathering of neighborhood residents to talk about housing needs and solutions.
3. Sets the goals and articulates the guiding principles for affordable housing action.
4. Makes recommendations for action based on the data and information gathered.
5. Sets forth a plan for implementing the recommendations over the next ten years and measuring success
6. Clarifies the housing challenges for the Town, promotes outreach and education, and informs public opinion to support change.

Recommendations:

The plan establishes twelve recommendations that encompass a variety of methods, approaches, and interconnected program and policy goals. The recommendations fit under four main categories: Funding, Process, Subsidy, and Demonstration, and are summarized below.

Funding:

1. Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This serves as a pool of resources especially dedicated to the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Funding can be from a variety of sources, including Town budget, voluntary developer payments, new or existing tax revenues, or donations.
2. Land Acquisition Policy. A policy allowing for the strategic acquisition of land parcels to be dedicated to affordable housing development. Reasons for acquisition include immediate development, holding for future development, and preservation of existing affordable housing.

Process:

1. Capacity Building & Community Engagement. Hiring a dedicated staff member to oversee the implementation of the plan and the establishment of the housing resource center.

2. Housing Advisory Board. This is an advisory community panel made up of community representatives that will assist with Plan implementation and make recommendations about affordable housing development to the Town Council and Town staff.

3. Zoning Incentives. The Plan recommends modifications to the Unified Development Ordinance that would permit added residential density and streamlined procedures and create incentives to create affordable housing.

Subsidy:

1. Gap Financing. This can be utilized by local governments to help reduce financing costs, making it financially feasible to make rents affordable to lower-income households than might otherwise be possible. Gap financing can be provided at a local, county, state, or federal level.
2. Development Partnerships. Partnerships between the Town of Knightdale and nonprofit developers to preserve and create affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities.
3. Direct Assistance. This is typically small-scale interventions that local governments can do to directly assist eligible homeowners and renters with obtaining or keeping affordable housing.

Demonstration:

1. Expand Housing Options. This recommendation promotes the development of housing types outside of the single-family detached realm. This could include smaller homes, accessory dwelling units, and cottage court concepts.
2. Mixed-Income Focus. This concept proposes to build mixed-income neighborhoods by incorporating affordable homes or lots into market-rate neighborhoods or subdivisions.
3. Permanent Affordability. Through community land trusts and other ownership structures, ownership opportunities are offered to lower-income homebuyers and ensure long-term affordability.
4. Inclusive, Livable Environment. All planning processes for housing should incorporate principles of walkability, bikability, transit-oriented design, and proximity to schools, jobs, shops, and services.

Public Outreach & Participation:

Community engagement was a key component in the planning process. Various opportunities were provided for Knightdale residents, workers, business owners, leaders, and stakeholders to provide thoughts and feedback on the plan.

• Public Hearing - Held February 15, 2024 with the Town Council and the Land Use Review Board, which concluded the public comment period.
• Public Open House - Held Monday, February 5, 2024
• Draft Plan Review - Released for public review and comment on January 18, 2024
• Community Ideas Exchange Workshop - Held October 19, 2023 to solicit input and feedback on the plan's preliminary proposals and recommendations and provide preferences on implementation priority.
• Focus Groups & Stakeholder Interviews - Numerous conversations were facilitated from diverse sectors of the community, including but not limited to: church leaders, residents, municipal partners, teachers, public sector employees, community service organizations, and healthcare workers
• Public Opinion Survey - This survey was deployed over several months and received over 300 responses.
• Town Events- The plan consultant attended these Town events and spoke with residents about affordable housing.
  • June 17, 2023: African American Festival
  • August 19, 2023: Arts & Education Festival