RALEIGH, N.C. — Plans are being finalized to break ground on a project that could cut Wake County’s homelessness by 10 percent. Construction on the King’s Ridge apartments is expected to start next week just off Sunnybrook Road.
From 2009 to 2015, Wake County lost about 5,000 apartments for households earning less than $39,000, according to Wake County’s affordable housing plan of 2017.
A woman who asked to be identified as Susan told WRAL News she used to be homeless and struggled going from place to place looking for somewhere to stay.
“I got so far down on myself. I wasn’t liking myself. I was homeless doing things I shouldn't have been doing," she said.
Then, Susan said she landed at Oak Hill Apartments in October. Currently, she pays 30 percent of her income for rent and doesn't have to pay utilities.
"It's peaceful," said Susan. "I like my room."
Just up the road for Oak Hill Apartments, plans are being finalized for King’s Ridge.
King’s Ridge and Oak Hill are under the umbrella of Casa, a housing provider with the City of Raleigh. King’s Ridge will be a mix of 100 apartments and tenants will pay a third of their income for rent.
Recently, U.S. House Representative Deborah Ross helped secure $2 million in funding for the project. Other funds, including an $8 million city housing bond and money from the private sector and charitable foundations, is helping to make the project possible.
A spokesperson for Casa said the company has already been receiving calls about renting units at King's Ridge.