Community Welcomes New Housing Option for Former Foster Youth

Hope Village at Method was alive with laughter, smiles, and warm handshakes, welcoming nine new apartments to provide stable homes for young people transitioning out of foster care.

The smell of fresh paint and mulch still lingered as housing partners and City and County leaders joined Congresswoman Deborah Ross on Friday to celebrate the new community. Developed by CASA with support from the City of Raleigh and the Hope Center at Pullen, the property will help youth make an important step toward independence.

On May 16, 2023, City Council awarded $700,000 to CASA to build a nine-unit apartment building. Eight apartments are dedicated to youth transitioning out of foster care, and one unit is set aside for a resident advisor who will provide on-site support. On August 13, 2024, the City officially closed on the loan, moving the project from planning to reality.

For young people aging out of foster care, the transition to adulthood can be especially difficult. By providing affordable homes paired with wraparound services (support in education, employment, mental health, parenting, and life skills) Hope Village offers a foundation for success. More than just a roof overhead, it is the start of a community where residents can thrive.

Hope Village also builds on the pipeline of support already in place for youth in the area. Many start out in short-term bridge housing, which provides immediate stability during a difficult time. But the real need is long-term,affordable homes where young people can lay down roots. Hope Village provides that and creates a next step toward independence while still offering guidance and a supportive community.

Imagine a young person moving into their first home at Hope Village: turning the key to a safe, stable home, decorating their own space for the first time, and knowing they have neighbors and mentors just steps away. That sense of stability and community can be life-changing; opening doors to education, jobs, friendships, and the confidence to build a brighter future. With housing as the foundation, young adults can focus on finishing school, starting careers, and building stable lives.

Congresswoman Ross, who secured $1 million in federal funding to support this project, toured the property with City leaders and housing advocates.

"This is so important for affordable housing, for the next generation, and for showing what community partnership can do," Congresswoman Ross said.

"Helping our foster youth have a better future is something we are all responsible for."

As leaders, advocates, and partners walked the grounds together, the sense of optimism was palpable. Hope Village is proof that when a community comes together, we can create lasting change.

By investing in and celebrating projects like Hope Village, the City continues to work to solve the affordable housing puzzle, one piece at a time.

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