Wake County is bringing new voices into the effort to expand affordable housing. That message guided today’s Wake County Housing Symposium: Aligning for Impact, where partners from across sectors came together to strengthen coordination and identify opportunities to expand housing options.
County leaders emphasized that meeting the demand for diverse housing in Wake County requires broader participation and sustained collaboration beyond traditional housing partners.
“Addressing affordable housing at the scale our community needs will require shared commitment across sectors,” said Vice Chair Safiyah Jackson of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “This convening was about strengthening those connections and accelerating solutions.”
Hosted by the Wake County Housing Affordability and Community Revitalization Department, the symposium explored how different sectors can contribute to housing solutions, from employers supporting workforce housing to philanthropic partners helping scale effective models and policy leaders shaping long-term solutions across North Carolina.
Wake County’s approach reflects a growing recognition that housing availability affects workforce recruitment, business growth and overall economic health. By bringing these perspectives together, the County is working to create clearer pathways for partners to engage and take action.
This effort builds on continued investment in affordable housing. Just yesterday, the Wake County Board of Commissioners approved more than $14.8 million in funding through the County’s Affordable Housing Development Program, supporting 800 units of affordable housing. This was the largest number of units funded in a single investment cycle since the department was established.
County leaders see this combination of investment and collaboration as key to expanding housing options and supporting long-term community stability.
You can track Wake County’s housing progress and explore key data at wakehousingdata.org.
