King’s Ridge Reduces Raleigh Homelessness by 15%

King’s Ridge takes a step toward ending homelessness in Raleigh.

Raleigh is one step closer to solving homelessness. It’s an epidemic on the rise—including on the very streets we all walk every day. In fact, according to the Wake County Point in Time Count, ~1,000 individuals are currently experiencing homelessness on any given night—a 200% increase since 2020. 

Now, a cutting-edge concept has made an immediate 15% dent in those stats. Expected to take ~148 people off the street, the freshly debuted King’s Ridge serves up 100 one-, two- and three-bedroom units designated and designed for individuals and families who have a history of homelessness and insufficient credit to qualify for conventional housing.

Chronically homeless people make up:
 33% of ER visits costing $44K a year/person


Permanent housing reduces:
Health care costs by 59%
ER costs by 61%  Hospitalizations by 77%

Named for the late former CASA CEO and affordable housing champion Debra King, the Triangle-based affordable housing nonprofit’s most ambitious project to date has already assigned all units in collaboration with street outreach and shelter providers. “We went to the folks that did this work every day to give us our residents,” explains King’s Ridge Director Erin Yates of the community’s efforts to ensure a true focus on Raleigh’s most vulnerable. “We wanted to make sure they follow a housing-first model—meaning there are no requirements before you move in. You don’t take a class or have to be part of a program.” In short, the housing complex meets residents where they are—all of them are able to move in exactly as they are. 

While King’s Ridge isn’t free, residents only pay one-third of their monthly income for rent each month and can renew yearly. According to housing affordability devotee and former Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, the largest barrier for the homeless isn’t affording rent—at least 60% of Raleigh’s homeless population have jobs. The real barrier is the ability to put down a security deposit plus first and last month’s rent. 

But the monumental project wasn’t realized overnight. It’s been seven years since Molly Painter—now chair of the King’s Ridge Campaign Leadership Committee—picked up Kathy Izard’s The Hundred Story Home. Upon learning of Charlotte’s housing for the homeless, Painter resolved Raleigh could and would achieve the same. A whopping $23 million later—raised in partnership with CASA—the East Raleigh project broke ground in 2022. 

“It feels like home,” Painter tells RM—“which is exactly how we want it to feel. The community said yes [and] was very generous—the county was very generous. … Individuals and corporations came together to make it happen.”

Now, locals are finally beginning to move in. One resident who, after a car accident, was rendered unable to work and experienced homelessness, moved into King’s Ridge last in February. “[The resident] said after a couple nights’ sleep, ‘I realized there is a word I’ve never used for myself: I feel calm,’” shares Yates. 

While similar housing-first models have been around for decades, they’re new to Raleigh, emphasizes Yates—and she hopes to show the model gives long-term stability for the homeless. “We’ve already had conversations with folks in Asheville, Greensboro and Wilmington,” she adds. 

Baldwin, who, during her mayoral tenure, advocated for $10 million for King’s Ridge from the city—and now continues her passion for the cause as executive director of the Cooper Charitable Foundation—is also eager to see how the project inspires other cities’ affordable housing options. “People were like ‘Oh, [$10 million] is a lot of money,’ but so is treating homeless people in emergency rooms—that costs more money than sheltering,” observes Baldwin, noting, too, it is far less expensive than providing health care to people living on the streets. In short, providing shelter isn’t just the compassionate thing to do—it’s also the best financial move for the city. 

Baldwin’s backing stems from King Ridge’s wraparound on-site supportive services for residents. “A home and the services they need to stay sheltered—that is what really sold me,” she reveals. 

Two medical clinics, case managers and ample community space will supply the necessary tools to heal. To boot, the complex is ideally situated near WakeMed’s Raleigh campus, Wake County’s health services building and the future bus rapid transit line.

Mirroring other conventional apartments, King’s Ridge residents have full control of their schedules and can come and go as they please. The model recognizes the prominence of housing as the first step in handling other challenges—and the apartment’s services will help tackle these lingering obstacles. Backed by the community and aligned with a housing-first mindset, King’s Ridge is setting the bar—and taking a large stride toward ending homelessness.  

Upcoming Affordable Housing Projects 

Hope Village at Method: Under construction
Housing and support for Raleigh youth aging out of foster care located in the Method neighborhood

Maple Ridge Apartments: Construction slated for 2025
146 affordable units with 30 units in NW Raleigh for those with disabilities or who are experiencing homelessness

Strickland Apartments : Construction slated for 2025
148 affordable units with 30 units off Strickland Road for those with disabilities or who are experiencing homelessness
 
Moore Square Apartments: Construction slated for 2025
160 affordable rental units with 32 units in DTR for those with disabilities or experiencing homelessness 

Innovative Solutions

Eden Village | Wilmington 

• Tiny home village of permanent supportive housing 
• 31 homes on 4.2 acres 
• Turnkey cost of $6M and unit cost of $80K
• Eden Village in Springfield, Mo., has purchased 3D printers to loan to other Eden Village projects, cutting costs $40K per unit 
• 94% success rate of residents remaining stably housed after one year

The Melody | Atlanta

• Downtown camp with crime and drug activity 
• 90-day construction 
• 40 units produced at $5M 
• Permanent supportive housing with wraparound services 
• All 40 camp residents were offered units, all but two moved in 
• Ample outdoor spaces and dog park