Innovative Strategies for Transit and Affordable Housing in North Carolina
This campaign, led by Carley Ruff on September 17, 2013, focuses on advancing transit expansion and affordable housing initiatives in the Triangle and Triad regions of North Carolina. It highlights the approval of a ½ cent sales tax referendum for transit funding, emphasizes the necessity for affordable housing near transit hubs, and outlines collaborative efforts with various stakeholders, including local governments and community organizations. The goal is to create equitable transit solutions while ensuring housing affordability for those earning 60% or below the Area Median Income (AMI).
Innovative Strategies for Transit and Affordable Housing in North Carolina
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Developing Campaigns for Issues & Projects Carley Ruff September 17, 2013
NCGA Approves Funding Authority for Transit Congestion Relief/Intermodal Transport 2009 – HB148 • Authorizes referendums for a ½ cent sales tax in the Triangle and Triad and a ¼ cent sales tax in other counties for bus and other transport expansion. • Requires cities/counties to create a plan for 15% of housing within ½ mile of transit hubs to be affordable to those at 60% or below AMI. www.nchousing.org
Wake, Durham & Orange • ½ Cent Sales Tax, with voter approval of a referendum for the sales tax. • “Inflation Adjustment” of a Regional Vehicle Registration Fee (increase from $5 to $8). • County Vehicle Registration Fee (up to $7). • Research Triangle Park (RTP) to charge a Property Tax for public transportation projects ($ .10 per $100). www.nchousing.org
What we knew… • Each county must each develop a financial transit plan (which details the various transit investments) to be approved by the county commissions and the MPOs. • Once there is approval of the financial transit plan, the county commissions must agree to put the referendum on the ballot. • Voters must approve a ½ cent sales tax. • Planning for affordable housing near transit cannot be an afterthought. www.nchousing.org
Finding Allies & Knowing Your Role • NC Justice Center • Self-Help Credit Union • Reinvestment Partners • Universities • Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network • Durham-Orange Friends of Transit • City of Durham, Neighborhood Improvement Services • Durham C.A.N. – Congregations, Associations, and Neighborhoods www.nchousing.org
Choosing the Right Messenger www.nchousing.org
Targets • Durham City/CountyElected Officials • Durham Planning Staff • Triangle Transit www.nchousing.org
Tactics • Regular meetings (or requests for meetings) with Durham city/county planning staff, transit staff and neighborhood improvement services. • Town hall meetings with elected officials and candidates for local office. • Students at the UNC Department of City and Regional Planning researched the potential for gentrification along proposed light rail line and presented findings to City officials. • Public Symposium – “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing: Linking Affordable Housing + Transit” • Press releases, Op-eds, LTEs www.nchousing.org
Current Outcomes • The Durham Joint City and County Planning Committee has launched a comprehensive land use inventory to ensure that affordable housing is part of the light rail development plan. • Promising negotiations with Triangle Transit Authority and the Durham Office of Economic Development, to ensure that all jobs generated with the ½ cent sales tax pay a living wage and make job training accessible to Durham residents. www.nchousing.org
Carley Ruff Policy Director919-881-0707cruff@nchousing.org • www.nchousing.org
