Historic Groundbreaking Celebrates Community Partnership and Affordable Housing Innovation
We are thrilled to share the exciting news from Monday, August 25, 2025, groundbreaking ceremony for the Cottages of Idlewild in Raleigh—a milestone moment that represents so much more than breaking ground on a new development.
Key Highlight: The Cottages of Idlewild marks our first Wake County project in the ambitious “100 Homes in 100 Counties” initiative, featuring Raleigh’s first affordable housing cottage court design.
A Day of Celebration and Reflection
The ceremony brought together an impressive coalition of community leaders, including Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell, district city council representatives, officials from the NC Housing Finance Agency, and Wake County government representatives. Each speaker emphasized the power of partnerships in addressing our state’s housing challenges.
Our NCRHF leadership was well represented at the event, with 2025 President Sean Nock, Treasurer Preston Miller, Secretary Rosemarie Doshier, Director Tim McBrayer, Past 2022 President Mark Connor, and our Housing Foundation Director, Kentia Smith, all participating in this historic moment.
A Personal Story of Transformation
One of the most powerful moments came when LeVelle Moton of Raleigh Raise Development shared his deeply personal connection to the project site. Coach Moton, who leads the men’s basketball team at North Carolina Central University, spoke movingly about growing up on E. Lane Street and never being able to play at the very park where we gathered for the groundbreaking due to violence and drug activity that once plagued the area.
“This project represents not just new housing, but the transformation of a community—from a place children couldn’t safely play to one where families will build their futures.”
Moton co-founded Raleigh Raise Development with childhood friends Terrell Midget and CJ Mann—three friends united by their shared mission to give back to the community that shaped them.
Innovation Meets Community Values
The Cottages of Idlewild is not just about providing affordable housing—it is about doing so in a way that honors and empowers the community:
- Community Heritage: Units are thoughtfully named after key Black community members, honoring the neighborhood’s rich history
- Economic Empowerment: The project prioritizes participation by minority and women-owned businesses, promoting local economic development
- Innovative Design: Features Raleigh’s first affordable housing cottage court design
- Smart Ownership Structure: RALT owns the land while residents own their homes, paying property taxes only on the home’s value
Our Investment in Action
We’re proud that our $150,000 contribution—making NCRHF the largest private donor to the project—enabled the expansion from 17 to 18 units. This investment will serve families earning 30-80% of the area median income, providing both homeownership and rental opportunities.
By the Numbers: NCRHF has invested approximately $375,000 in funding for five full house builds and 16 critical home repairs for disabled senior citizens and veterans homeowners in seven North Carolina counties.
Looking Forward
The Cottages of Idlewild represents exactly what we envisioned when we launched our “100 Homes in 100 Counties” initiative. Over the next five years, we’re committed to supporting affordable housing projects in all 100 North Carolina counties, whether through critical home repairs or new homeownership opportunities.
This groundbreaking ceremony wasn’t just about starting construction—it was about celebrating the power of partnerships, community vision, and our shared commitment to ensuring every North Carolinian has access to safe, affordable housing.