By: Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer
On Tuesday, East Raleigh saw a landmark event in its fight against homelessness and poverty with the grand opening of King’s Ridge, a 100-unit affordable housing community spearheaded by CASA (Community Alternatives for Supportive Abodes), a nonprofit organization focused on ending homelessness in the Triangle region of North Carolina.
The community, which has been years in the making, was designed not only to provide homes but to offer the kind of support that empowers residents to rebuild their lives. The project, while costing over $26 million, is expected to reduce homelessness in the city of Raleigh by 10%.
At the heart of the project is Molly Painter, the visionary behind the idea, who, along with the CASA team, worked tirelessly to bring this dream to life.
“I just can’t wait for all our future residents to experience the hope and the joy that we poured into the making of King’s Ridge—whose community’s foundation is love,” said Painter.
A collaboration of financial investment took place for the project’s construction: government funding, private donations, and community contributions made King’s Ridge a reality, including over $4 million from Wake County, $2 million from federal appropriations, and over $2 million from the City of Raleigh.
King’s Ridge isn’t just a place to live; it’s a place to thrive. The units—ranging from one to three bedrooms—were designed with the goal of creating a welcoming, supportive environment where residents feel safe, valued, and part of something bigger. With natural light flooding each unit and spacious interiors, the apartments are a refuge for individuals and families who have faced significant hardship. For many, this will be their first opportunity to experience stability in years.
“This one hundred unit complex, offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, will be much more than housing: it will be a cornerstone of accessibility, diversity, hope and inclusion. A place where people aren’t priced out of a stable future,”, Debroah Ross, the U.S. Representative for NC’s 2nd District, said.
Beyond the homes themselves, King’s Ridge provides an array of on-site supportive services, from healthcare and employment assistance to mental health counseling and childcare navigation. A key partner in this initiative is The Kaleidoscope Project, which will provide residents with the opportunity to participate in community governance, ensuring that their voices are heard and that they have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
The community will also include common areas for social interaction, including a kids’ playroom, event spaces, and a flexible area for activities like talent shows, counseling, and meetings. On-site medical clinics will be available to address health needs and reduce the reliance on emergency room visits.
Many of the local organizations CASA has worked with to build a hub of essential services for residents were at the opening.
From Healing Transitions, who works with people struggling with addiction, especially the homeless, uninsured, and underserved communities; Families Together, providing critical resources for hundreds of families with children experiencing homelessness; Community Health Outreach, helping individuals understand their healthcare options, get coverage, and access care; South Light, an alcohol and drug detox rehab center; The Women’s Center, providing stability and housing for single women experiencing homelessness; the Salvation Army, Duke University School of Medicine and WakeMed were also featured.
King’s Ridge operates under the ‘Housing First’ model, an approach that prioritizes stable housing as the foundation for addressing other challenges, such as mental health issues or substance abuse. Unlike traditional housing programs, which often require applicants to meet certain conditions before receiving housing, King’s Ridge removes these barriers. Residents will only pay one-third of their income in rent, and there’s no requirement for a credit score or proof of insurance.
“Almost three years ago we broke ground on this spot,” CASA CEO Everett McElveen said. “King’s Ridge is CASA’s largest community ever.”
“We know King’s Ridge will be impactful for the community: saving taxpayer dollars and reducing homelessness by more than 10 percent. But the true bottom line has yet to be calculated—in the lives of the people moving in,” McEvleen said.
The name ‘King’s Ridge’ is a tribute to CASA’s former CEO, Debra King, who served for 23 years before passing away in 2018. Under her leadership, CASA laid the groundwork for this project and many others aimed at ending homelessness in the region.
As CASA celebrates the opening of King’s Ridge, the organization is already looking ahead. The success of this project is expected to inspire similar initiatives across the region, helping to address the growing issue of homelessness in the Triangle area. And for the residents who will soon call King’s Ridge home, the journey to a better tomorrow begins today.
