Last week, nearly 1400 housing professionals and advocates gathered in Raleigh for the 2026 NC Affordable Housing Conference. Over two days, attendees participated in more than 20 sessions geared toward increasing housing supply, affordability, and accessibility across North Carolina.
Keynote speaker Alexander Hermann, Senior Research Associate at the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies opened the conference with an overview of the State of the Nation’s Housing Report and what the data tells us about the future of housing. At the Industry Update, Patrick Bowen, President of Bowen National Research, explored statewide demographic data that demonstrated the need for more affordable housing across the state. Breakout session topics included community land trusts, ending unsheltered homelessness, and fair housing.
At the NC Housing Coalition Annual breakfast, the Coalition recognized individuals and organizations who have championed housing affordability and access over the past year:
Best Advocacy Event: City of Raleigh Fair Housing Advisory Board for “Fair Housing Is Still Law 2.0”
Best Public Education Materials: NC Budget & Tax Center for Property Tax Levy Limit Tools & Resources
Best Mobilization: Liz Carbone, Consultant, Home Team Consulting
Best Cross-Sector Partnership: Kingdom CDC, OnTrack, and American Red Cross for Western NC Housing Counseling Partnership
Best Cross-Sector Partnership: City of Greenville and Pitt Community College for 50 in 10 Initiative
Housing Counselor of the Year: Deanie Dawson, Wilson Community Improvement Association, Inc.
The Coalition also debuted our 2027-2028 Policy Agenda, developed in partnership with dozens of organizations and housing advocates across the state. This agenda will guide the Coalition’s advocacy efforts heading into the 2027 legislative long session, and Director of Housing Policy Stephanie Watkins-Cruz invited attendees to become NC Housing Coalition members and join us in the work required to pursue the goals of the 2027-2028 policy agenda.
Although the data presented throughout the conference continues to show a growing housing crisis, and although changes to housing policy and funding at both the state and federal level are still cause for concern, speakers and attendees were determined to persevere. The NC Affordable Housing Conference provided the space and the resources for these passionate housing providers and advocates to network, collaborate, develop strategies to create more affordable housing in North Carolina.
