RALEIGH N.C. -- A large crowd showed up Tuesday, December 17 for a Raleigh City Council session.

Members met to discuss plans to create more affordable housing. 

Durham Mayor Steve Schewel explained how the Bull City has started to tackle the issue. Residents passed a 95 million dollar bond in November. He also said a community advisory board has been key in providing guidance for the plan. 

The Raleigh council approved a five-year plan in 2015 and will update it in 2020. 

Areas of focus include a possible bond, land use policies, and non-traditional housing options. 

"This is the first step in all of us moving forward on what we feel is a very urgent need to move forward on housing in our community," Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said.

The mayor believes the community's input is needed.

"While you had a chance to listen today,  you will have a chance to speak and have your voices heard at future dates ," Baldwin said Tuesday.

City staff was directed on Tuesday to choose three or four topics the council could get to work on quickly beginning with their meeting in January.