Henry Jarrett: A tale of two cities

Regarding the Oct. 4 column “Young Raleigh seeks a voice on council”: I agreed with much of what Ned Barnett said. But I heard very little mention of affordable housing from the candidates.

Where are the people who work in the Krispy Kreme on Person Street, the Walmart on Glenwood Avenue or the Walgreens in North Hills supposed to live? Or how about teachers, police officers or firefighters? It cannot all be a city of McMansions, high-rise apartments and hipsters. And there are more issues than just people puking and urinating in downtown Raleigh.

Instead of bulldozing what little affordable housing stock is left, the city needs to look at a way to keep or replace it with homes that people making $40,000 and below can afford. And do it soon before Raleigh becomes a tale of two cities – one city for the hip and rich and one for the rest of us.

This story was originally published October 10, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Henry Jarrett: A tale of two cities."