Building Community, One Cottage at a Time
This time last year, we prepared to break ground at the Cottages of Idlewild. Community members, partners, and neighbors gathered in Idlewild to celebrate what would become Raleigh's first permanently affordable cottage court community. Standing on an empty site, we imagined families gathering on front porches, children playing in shared green spaces, and neighbors putting down roots in homes that will remain affordable for generations. Today, that vision is becoming reality.
In the heart of downtown Raleigh, the Cottages of Idlewild are becoming more than a new neighborhood, they are becoming a place where community connection can thrive.
As Raleigh grows, so does the need for housing that keeps people rooted. The Cottages of Idlewild were designed with that in mind: homes that are attainable, walkable, and woven directly into the fabric of the city. Each cottage represents an opportunity for residents to live close to work, schools, transit, and the everyday rhythms that make Raleigh feel like home.
But the impact goes beyond the front porch.
By creating permanently affordable homes, Raleigh Area Land Trust is helping ensure that long‑time residents, essential workers, and families can remain part of the communities they love. The Cottages of Idlewild model strengthens neighborhood stability, supports local businesses, and fosters the kind of connections that make a city vibrant. That means neighbors who know each other, kids who grow up together, and communities that reflect the people who built them.
As construction continues, so does the momentum. The Cottages of Idlewild are a reminder that thoughtful development can honor history, support equity, and create lasting pathways to homeownership.
This is what community connection looks like and RALT is proud to help build it.
Applications Are Now Open!
We are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted! This new community will feature:
14 affordable homes for sale
4 rental cottages.*
The starting sales price is $190,000.
*Please note that eligibility requirements apply for both the homes for sale and the rental cottages.
We encourage you to submit your application and join us at an Information Session to learn more about this exciting opportunity to become part of the Cottages of Idlewild community!
