🌱Is Affordable Housing Still Affordable?+Elementary Schools Win Funds

Hey, neighbors! It's Thursday in Raleigh and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in the community, including updates on...

• Affordable housing, not so affordable anymore.
• Elementary Schools win money.
• Lots of fun events happening this weekend!

But first, today's weather: Breezy with variable clouds. High: 74 Low: 53.

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Here are the top stories in Raleigh today:

1. Following a rent hike of hundreds of dollars a month, many Grosvenor Gardens Apartment residents are feeling like affordable housing is not so affordable. According to WRAL News, "Resident Andi Drew said she can afford $800 per month and the apartment is close to her job. She received a letter in the mail saying her rent would increase to $1,100 starting July 1. Drew's latest increase comes after her monthly rent went from $750 to $800 in February. She said she felt even more secure when she heard the city of Raleigh and Raleigh-based nonprofit CASA were buying the building to preserve the apartments as affordable housing. 'I was like, ‘Wow, the city of Raleigh cares about people and affordable housing and I’m safe for now,’ and I really trusted in that,' she said. On Wednesday, CASA declined WRAL News’ request for an interview. However, CASA CEO Everett McElveen provided a written statement. 'The rental increase was unfortunately a necessity, as this property was running at a significant deficit,' McElveen said. 'CASA is paying debt service on the $7M WAHPF loan as well as another $3M loan from Self-Help Credit Union, both of which were necessary to buy the property. We understand navigating through a rental increase can be difficult for some residents, and our team is on standby ready to answer questions and provide assistance. The increase will help ensure sustainable operations for the property in the long run, allowing CASA to provide long-term affordability.'” (WRAL News)
2. Sycamore Creek Elementary School in Raleigh and Wake County’s Hodge Road Elementary both won $5,000 from Michael and Son Services. The company is giving a total of $50,000 to schools across the state as part of the annual Jingle Contest. According to CBS17.com, "Liz Yardley’s music class at Sycamore Creek Elementary School entered the jingle sing-off contest and she and her students were surprised Wednesday with a check for $5,000. Yardley said she’ll use the money to pay for several items, including more Orff instruments — such as chime bars, metallophones, xylophones or a timpani — for her students." (CBS17.com)
3. Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Here is a list of 14 exciting things to do in Raleigh compiled by the Raleigh Magazine. (Raleigh Magazine)

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Today in Raleigh:

• Senior Awards Ceremony (Auditorium) — Athens Drive High (9:00 AM)
• 32 Sounds (NR) — Town of Cary Cultural Arts (2:00 PM)
• ACE Spotlight Rm.2410/2422 — Athens Drive High (3:00 PM)
• Free Downtown Raleigh Rockstar Connect Networking Event (May) (6:00 PM)
• LRHS Honors Theatre Performance — Leesville Road High (7:00 PM)
• Chorus Concert — Sanderson High (7:00 PM)
• Spring Band Concert II — Athens Drive High (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Downtown Raleigh: "Welcome to Downtown Raleigh @the__hippo. The Hippo is a wine bar & shop specializing in natural, low-intervention, and estate wines located in the heart of downtown." (Downtown Raleigh via Instagram)
• NC State University: "From the tech in your pockets to the parks in your city, NC State designers have been bettering our world for 75 years. Happy birthday, NC State College of Design." (NC State University via Facebook)
• GoTriangle: "We want to give a BIG thank you and shout out to the wonderful EMS workers around the Triangle during EMS Week and every day! Thank you all for being there to help our bus operators, riders, bicyclists, and anyone that calls." (GoTriangle via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com