Mary Black, candidate for Raleigh City Council District A, answers our questions
Raleigh voters will pick a new mayor and City Council members this November.
All eight council seats, including the mayor’s, are up for grabs, with all the incumbents except for current Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin seeking another two-year term.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting runs from Thursday, Oct. 17, through Saturday, Nov. 2.
To help inform voters across the state, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Mary Black
District/seat: Raleigh City Council, District A
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 30
Campaign website: mary4districta.com
Current occupation: Raleigh City Council member
Education: B.S. Agricultural and Environmental Systems, Concentration in Environmental Studies, Natural Resources
Offices sought/held: incumbent City Council, District A
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.
My civic involvement has been deeply rooted in advocacy, leadership and community empowerment, particularly around issues of climate justice, racial equity and public policy. As a Raleigh City Council member, I’ve had the opportunity to directly influence policy, advocating for worker protections, environmental justice, and inclusive housing solutions that address the needs of marginalized communities. My work as a campaign manager for both Farad Ali for mayor and Mazie Ferguson for U.S. Senate allowed me to lead grassroots efforts that amplified voices calling for social and economic justice, helping to shape the political landscape at both the local and national levels.
In my role as narrative strategist and strategic communications manager at The Chisholm Legacy Project, I have harnessed the power of storytelling to drive forward racial- and climate-justice initiatives. Through this work, I’ve been able to create platforms for communities to tell their stories, sparking civic engagement and collective advocacy. As a field organizer for Climate Action North Carolina, I focused on mobilizing local communities to take action against climate injustice, organizing grassroots campaigns that pushed for sustainable policy changes and fought back against harmful fossil fuel expansion.
My work as a digital media strategist for People Over Plastic further reinforced my commitment to engaging diverse audiences in critical conversations about environmental and social justice. Through digital campaigns, I’ve been able to elevate the voices of marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation.In addition to advocacy, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in direct legislative efforts as an Advocacy Corp Organizer with Friends Committee on National Legislation, where I lobbied for federal policies on climate, peace and justice. At The Chisholm Legacy Project, I developed educational programs that empower communities to advocate for themselves, providing tools for collective action on environmental and racial justice issues.
I have also served as a Raleigh Fellow with IGNITE National, where I worked to inspire and equip young women to pursue political leadership, and as a youth delegate at UNITE, where I represented young voices in global climate discussions. Beyond organizing and advocacy, I have taken on leadership roles as a board member for both the Environmental Advisory Board and Partners for Environmental Justice, where I helped shape environmental policy and promote justice initiatives. My involvement with Women’s Earth Alliance, both as a 2020 participant and an alumni mentor, has been instrumental in fostering global connections for environmental advocacy and mentorship.
These experiences reflect my deep commitment to civic engagement, weaving together leadership, advocacy, and education to uplift communities and drive systemic change for environmental and social justice.
Which city council district do you live in? A
What is the top issue facing Raleigh now and how would you address it?
As Raleigh continues to experience rapid growth and development, the city faces a dual crisis: one rooted in housing and the other in environmental degradation. The pressures of unchecked development have exacerbated the housing affordability crisis, disproportionately affecting lower-income and working class residents, while also placing immense strain on our natural resources and ecosystems. If elected, I propose a comprehensive approach that tackles both these issues head-on, centering equity, sustainability and long-term resilience for all Raleigh residents.
First and foremost, we must address the growing housing crisis. Over 6,000 people in Raleigh and Wake County currently seek homelessness support services, including 4,700 children within the Wake County school system. Even more concerning, 916 individuals are experiencing literal homelessness on any given night, with 463 living unsheltered — an alarming 200% increase since 2020. This is a direct result of market conditions that have prioritized luxury development over affordable housing, leaving low- and middle-income residents behind. To address these challenges, I propose that Raleigh take bold steps to bridge the gaps in our housing system as well as provide immediate relief and long-term solutions. We need to increase access to market-rate units by implementing flexible rent assistance and facilitating rapid exits from homelessness. For unsheltered residents, we need coordinated street-outreach programs and a fully funded alternative community response team model to ensure residents are connected with caring and trauma-informed resources, as well as improvements to our coordinated entry system, which will prioritize those most in need.
Beyond immediate measures, Raleigh must adopt a displacement preference policy to protect low-income tenants from the impacts of no-fault evictions, rent increases, or neighborhood changes, especially in areas along new rapid transit corridors. Flexible rent assistance programs, combined with enhanced prevention and diversion efforts, can help ensure that people are not pushed into homelessness in the first place. Enhanced landlord incentives and housing location assistance can encourage landlords to participate in affordable housing programs, while targeted efforts on permanent housing placement are critical to addressing the growing number of unsheltered individuals. Additionally, providing move-in assistance with essential items and establishing year-round low-barrier shelters will help stabilize vulnerable populations. Coordinated street outreach and support programs are necessary to ensure unsheltered residents are connected with the resources they need, while improvements to the coordinated entry system will prioritize housing for those most in need.
Raleigh’s rapid growth has not only led to a housing crisis but also poses significant environmental challenges. As the city expands, the delicate balance between urban development and environmental sustainability must be prioritized to protect both residents and natural resources. The loss of tree coverage and unchecked development have disrupted ecosystems, impacted drinking water sources, and contributed to environmental degradation.
By prioritizing equitable housing and environmental preservation, Raleigh can grow in a way that benefits all residents, especially those who have been historically marginalized. To mitigate these issues, the city must implement and incentivize zoning regulations that protect green spaces, preserve tree coverage, and encourage low-impact development practices.
Furthermore, I propose that Raleigh fully invest in green infrastructure. This means not just relying on short-term fixes but also committing to long-term sustainability by incorporating nature-based solutions into the fabric of the city’s growth. Raleigh should also strengthen its environmental protections through initiatives like expanding water quality buffer zones around streams and lakes, implementing more aggressive stormwater management policies, and promoting environmentally responsible development practices. Investments in green infrastructure, such as permeable pavements and rain gardens, can reduce runoff, improve water quality, and make the city more resilient to flooding and extreme weather events. I also propose the creation of a city-wide environmental justice plan that includes the voices of community members, particularly those from low-income and Black and brown neighborhoods who are most impacted by both the housing and environmental crises.
In addition to housing and environmental justice, I propose stronger tenant protections to combat predatory practices by landlords. As the city continues to expand, we need to ensure that tenants have access to legal support and clear recourse when faced with unjust evictions or unsafe living conditions. I will work with advocacy groups, community organizations, and local leaders to advance tenant rights legislation, strengthen anti-discrimination laws, and expand housing choice initiatives. The Raleigh Housing Authority (RHA) must also be engaged in these efforts, particularly in maintaining and expanding naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) units that provide a lifeline for lower-income residents.
Ultimately, Raleigh’s growth must be inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. The path forward is clear: we must prioritize people over profit, centering environmental justice, housing affordability, and tenant protections in all of our decisions. This vision for Raleigh is not only possible, but essential if we are to create a future where all residents — regardless of income, race, or background — can thrive. I am committed to leading the charge for bold, transformative change that ensures our city grows responsibly and inclusively for generations to come.
What is your strategy for increasing affordable housing in Raleigh?
Raleigh has taken significant steps toward addressing affordable housing, and I fully support continuing to build on the city’s existing initiatives. The recent pilot program, which focuses on direct housing assistance for individuals experiencing homelessness, is a key part of this effort. By allocating $1.9 million in flexible financial assistance to provide monthly subsidies for 40 households currently living in camps, paired with supportive case management, Raleigh is demonstrating that prioritizing housing stability can be a meaningful way to reduce homelessness. This kind of flexible support aimed at moving people into permanent housing is exactly the type of targeted solution that can make a significant difference for the city’s most vulnerable residents.
In addition to direct housing assistance, Raleigh has committed resources to homelessness prevention and diversion initiatives, supporting local nonprofits that work on the front lines of the housing crisis. Strengthening this broader system is essential to ensuring that we not only address immediate housing needs but also work to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place. The city’s coordinated response to unsheltered homelessness, which involves collaborating with local agencies and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy, is another crucial component. This collective approach recognizes the scale of the crisis and the need for ongoing collaboration.
While these initiatives represent important progress, Raleigh must take bolder and more expansive action to fully address the housing crisis. My strategy builds on the solid groundwork that has already been laid, but goes further to address the underlying issues contributing to homelessness and the lack of affordable housing. To ensure lasting change, it is critical that we prioritize, monitor, and expand these programs. By doing so, we can guarantee that they continue to evolve and meet the growing needs of our community. Scaling up funding, regularly assessing program outcomes, and ensuring we’re always prepared to adjust as challenges arise will be essential for Raleigh’s long-term housing solutions.
Additionally, to i address Raleigh’s housing crisis, we must pursue immediate and long-term solutions that expand affordable housing options while ensuring inclusivity, sustainability, and a community-centered approach. Here’s what I propose:
Expand the Community Land Trust Model: The community land trust model offers a powerful way to create lasting affordable housing. CLTs work by removing land from the speculative market, holding it in trust, and ensuring housing remains affordable over time. This approach prevents displacement, stabilizes neighborhoods, and empowers communities to have control over their housing futures. Raleigh can expand CLTs in historically marginalized and rapidly gentrifying areas by partnering with community organizations and leveraging public land and funds.
Leverage Publicly Owned Land for Affordable Housing: Publicly owned land is one of Raleigh’s most valuable resources. By using it to build affordable housing through partnerships with non-profit developers, housing cooperatives, and community organizations, the city can prioritize affordable housing for low-income residents. Instead of selling this land to private developers, Raleigh should focus on reserving it for projects that serve those most in need, making significant strides toward addressing the housing shortage.
Strengthen Tenant Protections and Prevent Displacement: Protecting renters and preserving existing affordable housing are crucial to addressing displacement, especially in rapidly developing areas. Raleigh needs stronger tenant protections, including rent control in targeted neighborhoods, just-cause eviction policies, and legal support for tenants facing unsafe conditions or eviction. Additionally, implementing a displacement preference policy would ensure that low-income residents, particularly those at risk of being pushed out due to gentrification, are prioritized for new affordable housing developments.
Implement a Housing First Model: Addressing homelessness is a key component of any comprehensive housing strategy. The Housing First model, which focuses on providing permanent, stable housing for those experiencing homelessness without preconditions, has proven successful in reducing chronic homelessness. Raleigh should fully embrace this approach, making housing the foundation of support services for vulnerable residents. This should be complemented by strengthening homelessness prevention programs that offer short-term financial assistance for those at risk of losing their homes.
Incentivize Affordable Housing Development through Tax Credits and Grants: Raleigh should offer stronger incentives for developers to build affordable housing. Expanding tax credit programs, offering grants, and providing density bonuses for developments that include affordable units can make it more financially feasible for developers to contribute to the city’s housing goals. This also includes offering incentives for rehabilitating naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) to prevent its loss to market forces.
Provide Landlord Incentives for Affordable Rentals: Raleigh should create programs that incentivize landlords to offer affordable rental units. By offering tax breaks, grants for property upgrades, and assistance with tenant management, landlords would be more likely to set aside units for low-income tenants. This not only helps create more affordable rental options but also ensures landlords are engaged in solving the city’s housing crisis. In exchange for financial support, landlords could agree to cap rent increases, provide long-term leases, or prioritize renting to residents with lower incomes or those receiving housing vouchers.
Support Single Room Occupancy Housing: Single Room Occupancy housing is an effective option for individuals who need affordable living spaces, especially those transitioning out of homelessness or low-income individuals without families. Raleigh should explore zoning changes to encourage the development of SROs and allocate resources for their construction. SROs provide a cost-effective solution by offering smaller, more affordable units that still provide residents with private spaces and essential amenities.
Invest in Workforce Housing for City Employees: City employees — such as teachers, firefighters, and sanitation workers — are essential to Raleigh’s functioning, yet many cannot afford to live in the city they serve. I propose creating a workforce housing program specifically targeted at providing affordable rental and home ownership options for city workers. This helps retain a strong public workforce and ensures our city’s development serves those who contribute to its daily operation.
Build Stronger Public-Private Partnerships: Partnerships between the city, private developers, and nonprofit organizations are essential to scaling up affordable housing solutions. Raleigh should strengthen these partnerships to create mixed-income developments, preserve NOAH units, and ensure that private sector growth includes a commitment to housing equity. The commonly proposed solution to attract affordable housing from private developers often involves municipalities offering incentives such as density bonuses, streamlined permitting, property tax reductions, fee waivers, access to discounted public land, expedited zoning approvals, financial subsidies, and partnerships with nonprofits or community land trusts. Raleigh implements all of these measures to varying extents. However, there’s a need for private developers to integrate acceptance of housing vouchers into their development or rezoning frameworks to further address housing affordability challenges effectively.
Should the city be more aggressive about requiring affordable units from developers or partner with nonprofits?
I believe the city should prioritize refining and expanding the incentives that encourage developers to build affordable housing, while also partnering with nonprofits dedicated to creating long-term, sustainable housing solutions. Although the city cannot mandate developers to include affordable units in their projects, it can enhance incentives that make it financially viable for developers to contribute to affordable housing goals. This would align market-driven developments with the city’s needs, ensuring more affordable units are constructed without hindering overall development.
However, we’ve seen that existing tools like density bonuses and transit districts, intended to encourage affordable housing, haven’t been fully utilized by developers because current policies are not always feasible. This indicates a need for the city to collaborate more closely with developers to craft policies that truly work. By refining these programs, we can create incentives that developers will find attractive while still meeting the city’s affordability goals.
Partnerships with nonprofits also play a vital role in this effort. Nonprofits often have a stronger focus on serving low-income and working-class families and a deep connection to the communities they work with. These organizations can help ensure that affordable housing projects remain inclusive and accessible over the long term. By collaborating with both developers and nonprofits, Raleigh can create a comprehensive housing strategy that addresses the needs of a diverse range of income levels, especially focusing on those most vulnerable to displacement.
Do you think Raleigh can support concert venues both downtown and in Dix Park?
Yes, I believe Raleigh can support concert venues both downtown and in Dix Park, and doing so would benefit the city greatly. The Red Hat Amphitheater downtown is crucial for supporting local businesses and promoting economic growth. As an established venue, it draws people into the city center, helping boost nearby restaurants, bars, and shops. Dix Park, on the other hand, offers a different opportunity — a venue that could cater to more community-oriented events in a park setting, providing a unique outdoor space for a diverse crowd to enjoy entertainment.
These two venues don’t have to compete with each other; instead, they can complement one another by serving different purposes. The downtown venue contributes to the city’s urban nightlife and local business activity, while Dix Park can be a space for family-friendly and community events, drawing in park visitors. Both locations enhance the city’s overall appeal, making Raleigh a more dynamic and inclusive place.
It’s also important to emphasize the need for diverse entertainment and engagement opportunities across Raleigh. By encouraging development in multiple areas, we can create a more vibrant cultural landscape that reaches people in different parts of the city. Expanding entertainment options throughout Raleigh ensures that the benefits of these venues, both economically and culturally, are shared by all residents, making the city more accessible and exciting for everyone.
Would you describe Raleigh’s growth as too fast, too slow or just right?
Many people view Raleigh’s growth as happening too rapidly, as this fast pace has outstripped the necessary investments in infrastructure and community stability. This unchecked expansion has resulted in significant challenges, including widespread gentrification that displaces long-time residents and raises property taxes, putting financial pressure on homeowners. Furthermore, the increase in homelessness and the decline of the middle class are troubling trends, especially considering that the cost of living to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in Raleigh exceeds $102,000 for a single person, while the average salary is only around $57,000. This significant gap makes it increasingly difficult for individuals to secure affordable housing, exacerbating the crisis within our community.
As Raleigh continues to grow, it is essential to prioritize sustainable development that emphasizes equitable progress and strong community support systems. This approach should not only tackle housing affordability but also ensure that infrastructure development keeps pace with population growth and that established communities are safeguarded against displacement. By promoting growth that is both inclusive and sustainable, we can create a Raleigh that benefits all its residents.
Do you think Raleigh is losing too many historic properties? If so, how should this be addressed?
Raleigh is indeed losing too many historic properties, considering the history of urban renewal and the loss of significant landmarks in our historic districts that have disproportionately impacted communities, especially those of Black and working-class residents who have already experienced displacement and disinvestment. We have seen this in the Fourth Ward, Smoky Hollow, across Southeast Raleigh, and in the Prince Hall District. When we lose these buildings, we are not just losing structures but the rich histories and stories of the people and communities that built and lived in them.
As development pushes forward, we cannot afford to let the past be erased in the name of progress, particularly when it is at the expense of the very communities that have shaped Raleigh’s identity. One solution I propose is hiring a city historian. This role would not only focus on preserving buildings but also on protecting the stories and cultural significance attached to these spaces. The historian would work with residents, neighborhood associations, and cultural advocates to ensure that development is carried out with an understanding and respect for Raleigh’s history.
This is about more than just maintaining old structures — it’s about safeguarding the narratives and contributions of all communities that make Raleigh what it is today. With a city historian, we could elevate these stories, ensuring that they guide the decision-making process and that history isn’t lost to unchecked development.
Additionally, we must strengthen our preservation ordinances to protect vulnerable properties from being demolished or redeveloped. Raleigh’s process for designating historic landmarks needs to be more accessible and proactive. Too often, preservation efforts are reactive, triggered only by community outcry when a building is already under threat. Preservation should be equitable, with our most at-risk neighborhoods receiving the same level of protection and consideration as wealthier areas.
It is also crucial to prioritize equitable development. Historic preservation should not be used as a tool to gentrify and displace residents from the communities that give these areas their cultural significance. True preservation means not only protecting buildings but also ensuring that the people who live in these neighborhoods can remain there. By embracing both the preservation of historic properties and equitable development, we can ensure that Raleigh grows in a way that respects its past while creating a future that includes everyone.
This story was originally published September 26, 2024 at 5:55 PM.