Since 2010, Wake County has lost 59 percent of its stock of rental units priced below $750 a month and 40 percent of units priced below $1,000 a month. For many families, that means it’s getting harder to find a place to live that they can afford. To address this challenge head on, the Wake County Board of Commissioners today approved a $10.5 million loan and multi-year contract with Self-Help Ventures Fund to preserve existing and naturally occurring affordable housing throughout Wake County. The program will be called The Affordable Housing Preservation Fund. “It’s far easier to preserve a resource than to recreate it,” said Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Matt Calabria. “By protecting our existing affordable housing, we can ensure families who’ve lived in affordable neighborhoods for generations don’t have to worry about getting priced out of their homes.” In April, the County released an RFP for an Affordable Housing Preservation Fund

The Town of Wake Forest and Wake Forest Power are joining more than 2,000 not-for-profit utilities in celebrating Public Power Week this week. Although this year’s Energy Expo and other in-person customer appreciation activities have been canceled due to COVID-19, Wake Forest and WFP are commemorating Public Power Week by utilizing social media to celebrate the benefits of public power and salute the folks who keep our lights on. Throughout Public Power Week, WFP will post on Facebook a variety of information on themes ranging from Wake Forest’s public power history to the responsibilities of the divisions and staff that comprise the Town’s electric department. Kids will also have the chance to download a variety of coloring pages related to public power. Finally, WFP will post videos of various electric safety demonstrations typically offered in Centennial Plaza during Customer Appreciation Day. These demonstrations include the “Hurt Man Rescue” and tips

Political signs are going up around the community in advance of the November 2 local election. The Town of Wake Forest often receives inquiries from area residents and candidates concerning rules for political signs. Although temporary political signs advertising candidates or issues are permitted, a combination of state law and municipal code regulates how political signs may be displayed within Wake Forest. To ensure these conditions are met, adherence is required to the following regulations establishing the duration, size,  placement, and illumination of political signs: Duration Private Property – can be installed now. State Roads – can be installed now (effective Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021). Political signs must be removed by Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 – within 10 days after the election. Placement Cannot obscure motorist visibility. Cannot be installed on trees, bridges, utility poles, or the like. Cannot be installed in Town road right-of-way. Can be installed in NCDOT road right-way if:

Appreciation goes to Carol Pelosi and The Wake Forest Gazette and to all the energetic team captains for helping to inform our community about the mission of the September 26 CROP Hunger Walk. Thank you to PDQ, Culver’s, and Papa Murphy’s restaurants for providing share nights to help raise funds for this year’s CROP Walk effort. Donations from the 15 teams and more than 115 walkers and their sponsors and from individual donors have raised over $20,000 to help end hunger in our own community and around the world. Thank you to pastors and congregations in area churches, to community-service organizations, and to everyone who donated funds for this effort. Thank you to Roberta Macauley, Community Engagement Manager for Church World Service, for encouraging and guiding the event’s volunteer planners. Roberta has this to say about Church World Service: “We pride ourselves on hiring and training staff in local communities that understand