Federal Updates
Action Alert: Housing Counseling Funds Part of Federal Clawback
On Friday, September 25, President Trump announced a pocket rescission of nearly $1 billion in congressionally appropriated funds, including $56 Million in HUD housing counseling grants nationwide. As a result, North Carolina will lose more than $1 million in housing counseling funds distributed throughout the state. The delay of this funding has already resulted in the loss of housing counseling services, and canceling the funds altogether will mean that North Carolina families will lose access to a vital financial education resource at a time when housing costs are at all-time highs.
Call Senator Tillis, Senator Budd, and your Congressperson today to let them know how the loss of this funding will impact your community, especially if you are a housing counselor. Let them know the positive impact of housing counseling in your community to combat the Trump administration’s claim that delinquency and default counseling are ineffective.
Housing Action Illinois sues HUD as Trump administration brands nonprofit ‘radical left NGO’ | Chicago Sun-Times
HUD Hit with Lawsuit After Withholding Tens of Millions of Dollars in Housing Grants | Democracy Defenders Fund
Rep. Alma Adams Introduces Bill to Support Faith-Based Organizations’ Development of Affordable Housing
On September 21, Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) introduced the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Predevelopment Fund Act, a bill that would help expand the nation’s affordable housing supply by addressing pre-development financing gaps that faith-based organizations often encounter when they set out to build affordable housing on land they already own. The bill proposes establishing a $100 million pilot grant program through HUD that would help cover critical pre-development costs such as the initial architectural and engineering designs, environmental reviews and assessments, feasibility studies, legal expenses, financing application costs, performing market studies, and hiring project consultants.
State Updates
Legislative Updates
NCGA Convening for Special Session on Gas Tax Relief
The North Carolina General Assembly will reconvene in Raleigh this week. Yesterday, a joint proclamation was released by both chambers announcing the first extra session of 2026. The proclamation states that they will convene at 12 noon tomorrow, Wednesday, October 7, 2026 “to consider legislation necessary to provide North Carolinians with state tax relief on gas and diesel fuel”. For the calendar and links to listen to the session and press conference tomorrow, click here.
Midterm Election Resources
From the NC Center for Nonprofits
North Carolina citizens who plan to vote on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3) must be registered to vote at their current address by this Friday, October 9 at 5 p.m. Unregistered voters and people who have moved within the same county can also register or update their registration during the early voting period (October 15-31). Now is a great time for nonprofits to remind their staff, volunteers, clients, and communities to register to vote! For more on important election dates and details about the 2026 election in North Carolina, check out You Can Vote’s nonpartisan voter guide.
Tax Amendments on the Ballot
This November, North Carolinians will vote on two constitutional amendments related to taxes. One caps income tax rates for individuals and corporations at 3.5 percent, and one requires the state legislature to put limits on local revenue from property taxes, reducing the resources communities can use for emergency response, schools, infrastructure and other needs.
Putting limits on property taxes — the biggest source of funding for local governments — and income taxes — the biggest source of funding for state government — would make it harder for our counties and towns to provide the services we need.
Fore more information on the property tax amendments, check out this resource from the NC Budget & Tax Center and this resource from You Can Vote.
Disaster Recovery Housing Updates
GROW NC Releases Long Term Economic Recovery Plan
On September 23, the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western NC released their Long-Term Plan to Rebuild and Grow Western North Carolina’s Economy. The plan organizes post-Helene economic recovery in WNC into nine focus areas – one of which is housing. Housing targets outlined in the plan include rebuilding all damaged units to resilient standards by Year 5 and adding net new affordable and workforce housing by Year 10.
Local Headlines
Asheville housing voucher change will raise costs for some families | 828 New Now
Raleigh Rescue Mission’s expansion offers more help for homeless women, children in NC | NC Newsline
Wilmington forum brings faith, community leaders together to tackle housing crisis | WWAYTV3
Reports and Resources
The Housing Shortage Is a Major Driver of Poverty | The Pew Charitable Trusts
Events
Housing Month
The Housing Conference is the official kick-off of NC Housing Coalition and CITYBUILDER’s Housing Month. From October 22 to November 22, we’re connecting with housing advocates to create a month of housing, culminating with YIMBYtown on November 17 through 19, and ending with the 100th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision on Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co on November 22.
- NC Affordable Housing Conference | October 22 – 23 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Register here.
- CITYBUILDER Book Club | Wednesday, October 28 12–1 PM at PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails in Raleigh.
Join for a discussion of Homelessness Is a Housing Problem, led by Eric Braun and Nicole Stewart. Please RSVP - YIMBYTOWN | November 17-19, 2026 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Register here
Election Forum on Housing for Raleigh Candidates | sponsored by CITYBUILDER & Yes! in My Triangle, Wednesday, October 7. Doors open at 6 PM; forum runs 7–9 PM, Trophy Brewing & Taproom, 656 Maywood Ave.
APA-NC and UNC-Chapel Hill’s City and Regional Planning program have another social opportunity for Triangle area planners this month! Meet fellow and future planners on Wednesday, October 7, 6:30-8:30 pm at Franklin Motors in Chapel Hill. Everyone is welcome!
UNC School of Government – Upcoming Community Development Courses
- Affordable Housing Seminar: Tools, Strategies, and Case Studies for Local Government Leadership, October 9, 2026 in Chapel Hill. Open to professionals and elected officials, Course cost: $245
- Legislative Update: Planning and Development Regulation, October 28, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Zoom. $150 registration fee.
[webinar] Learning How States are Designing Land Use Reforms to Expand Housing Supply | NYU Furman Center, Wednesday, October 14, 2:30 p.m. Learn more and register here.
[virtual] CITYBUILDER Carolina Policy Talk: North Carolina Housing Coalition’s Legislative Agenda | Tuesday, October 20, 12–1 PM. Please RSVP
NCWAHN 4th Annual Luncheon | Friday, October 23, 1 – 2:30 p.m. (immediately following the 2026 NC Affordable Housing Conference) at Junction West in Raleigh. Registration is $50.
HOPE NC’s 5th Annual Inclusive Housing Summit | Monday, November 9th, 2026, 8am – 4pm at The Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill. Register here – $50 for Individual community members, self-advocates or caregivers & $100 for professionals.
