Organizational Updates
Register Now: Bringing It Home 2026
Register Now for this year’s Bringing It Home: Ending Homelessness in NC conference on May 27-28, 2026 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh! Homelessness services professionals and allies will gather to learn, network, and collaborate with industry experts from across North Carolina and beyond. Register now, or check out our Bringing It Home 2026 Conference Page for more information. Contact skirby@nchousing.org with any questions.
Guest Speaker
Eric Stein, Senior Vice President, Self-Help
Theme: Understand the NC House Committee’s most recent Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption Proposal
- The proposed bill is under discussion in the House.
- A good summary by staff on the proposed bill
Federal Updates
President’s Budget Request Released
On Friday, April 3, the Trump Administration released their FY 2027 budget request. This year’s request calls for a 10% cut to non-defense programs, including a cut of at least $3.8 billion dollars to HUD’s housing, homelessness, and community development programs.
While the FY27 budget request does not include the same level of severe cuts we saw proposed in the FY26 budget request, it zeroes out funding for essential programs like Housing Counseling, the HOME Partnership Program, and CDBG.
The President’s budget request also includes proposed changes to the Homeless Assistance Grants program and the implementation of harmful work requirements, and program time limits. Further, the budget request proposes prohibiting Housing Authorities from helping new families and giving out new vouchers, except vouchers for veterans (HUD-VASH) and the family unification program.
Last year, thanks to strong advocacy efforts, Congress rejected the president’s proposed cuts and instead provided significant funding increases for HUD. We will continue to monitor budget talks and keep you informed about opportunities for advocacy throughout the budget season.
Court Rules in CoC Builds Case
Last week, a US Federal court ruled that HUD’s newly imposed, politicized criteria for “Continuum of Care (CoC) Builds” grants are unconstitutional and unlawful. The court also ordered that $75M already appropriated for the grants must remain available.
Also last week, the First Circuit Court of Appeals also temporarily blocked the Trump Administration’s request to implement unlawful and unreasonable restrictions that seek to shift funding away from proven solutions to homelessness. The order comes in National Alliance to End Homelessness et al. v. HUD, a case brought by local governments and nonprofit organizations, which seeks to prevent the administration’s harmful attempt to stop funding permanent housing projects.
State Updates
Upcoming Legislative Committee Meetings
The House & Senate will convene this week, no votes are expected in the broader chambers at this time.
The House Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction and Reform will convene next Wednesday, April 15 at 10 a.m. The committee will likely vote on any amendments or final versions of the proposed legislation under discussion.
Local Headlines
Innovations in Small House Construction Make Homeownership Attainable | HUD (featuring Origami Homes of Asheville)
Charlotte nonprofit launches $200,000 direct cash program for LGBTQ+ youth housing instability | WCNC
Winston-Salem breaks ground on next two phases of major housing project | WUNC
Groundbreaking for Chapel Hill’s Homestead Gardens Marks Milestone for Significant Affordable Housing Project | Chapelboro.com
Brunswick schools eye affordable housing for staff | Port City Daily
Duke Energy rate increase proposal could raise electric bills for NC residents | ABC45
Events
[webinar] Fair Housing Today: Foundations, Common Issues, and the Current Landscape UNC School of Government, Tuesday, April 7, 12-1pm. Learn more and register here.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. In this session, Lauren Brasil from the UNC School of Law will provide an overview of fair housing laws, the issues that arise most often, and the current state of fair housing enforcement. There will be time for audience Q&A.
NC Housing Finance Agency Upcoming Trainings | Learn more and register here.
- [virtual] Tenant Selection & Criminal Background Policy:
- April 15, 2026—9:00am – 11:00am (Housing Providers)
- April 15, 2026—11:30am – 1:30pm (Service Providers)
- [virtual] Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs):
- May 19, 2026—9:00am – 11:00am (Housing Providers)
- May 19, 2026—11:30am – 1:30pm (Service Providers)
- [in person] Eviction
- April 9, 2026—10:00am – 12:00pm
- [in person] Reasonable Accomodation & Reasonable Modification
- May 7, 2026—10:00am – 12:00pm
Just Economy Conference 2026 | National Community Reinvestment Coalition, April 14-15, 2026 at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Learn more and register here.
UNC School of Government Community Development Academy
April 14-16, 2026 in Chapel Hill, Course Cost: $935
[webinar] Making Homeownership Affordable: Bringing Fannie and Freddie Back to Mission | Shelterforce, April 16, 1-2 p.m. Learn more and register here.
[webinar] FDIC Hosts Supporting Disaster Recovery in North Carolina | April 23, 10 a.m. – noon, Learn more and register here.
2026 CAHEC Partners Conference June 9 – 10 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Registration ends May 22. Learn more and register here.
