Day 1 | May 27, 2026
Balance of State May Membership Meeting | 11:30am-12:30pm
The Balance of State Continuum of Care (NC-503) is taking the opportunity to convene for an in-person meeting at Bringing it Home! Meet service providers, housing professionals, and other members from across the 79 rural counties of North Carolina and learn more about what’s happening within the Balance of State. If you are unsure if your work lands within the Balance of State map, visit ncceh.org > NC BOS COC > BOS overview. All are welcome to attend!
HUD Priorities | 1:00-2:15pm
Harry Miles, NC Field Office Director, US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Harry Miles will provide an update on HUD’s priorities.
Breakout Sessions | 2:30-3:45pm
HUD: Alternative Housing Solutions
Speakers TBA
This session will provide an overview of alternative housing solutions such as manufacture and modular housing, tiny housing, container housing.
Strategic Housing Plan, Olmstead, and Inclusion Connects
Josh Walker, Olmstead Housing Director, NC Department of Health and Human Services
This session will provide an overview and update on The NC Strategic Housing Plan which addresses the housing needs of individuals with disabilities, including people with disabilities who are currently receiving or eligible for NCDHHS-funded services at the state and local levels, who are either: experiencing homelessness, currently residing in congregate settings, or at risk of entry into these settings. An update on the Olmstead and IDD settlements will also be provided.
Breakout Sessions | 4:00-5:15pm
Deep Dive: All Ages All Stages NC
Caylee Weaver, Planner/Evaluator for the Division of Aging, NC Department of Health and Human Services
The session will provide an overview of the Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA), a comprehensive roadmap designed to enhance the quality of life and promote the well-being of older adults throughout the state. Come learn about the plan’s goals and how you can get involved.
Deep Dive: Targeting and Key Programs
Monica Frizzell, Targeting Housing Assessor, NC Department of Health and Human Services
Pamela Chandler, Housing Assessor, NC Department of Health and Human Services
The Targeting and Key Programs are a North Carolina partnership providing affordable, supported housing for people with disabilities or those experiencing homelessness. It pairs rental assistance with services, requiring developers to set aside units for eligible, low-income tenants. This session will provide an overview of the program and how it may be utilized by homeless services providers.
Day 2 Schedule | May 28, 2026
Welcome and Keynote | 9:00-9:40am
Samuel Gunter, Executive Director, NC Housing Coalition
Lisa Worth, NCDHHS
Dr. Latonya Agard, Executive Director, NC Coalition to End Homelessness
Renee M. Willis, President and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition
Begin the conference with welcoming remarks from the conference hosts, followed by a keynote address from Renee Willis, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Renee M. Willis is the President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a membership organization dedicated to achieving racially and socially equitable public policy that ensures people with the lowest incomes have quality homes that are accessible and affordable in communities of their choice. Renee previously served as NLIHC’s Senior Vice President for Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. From 2015 to 2021, Renee served as NLIHC’s Vice President for Field and Communications. In 2020, she served as a fellow with the Shriver Center’s Racial Justice Institute and joined a network of advocates working on race equity issues across the country.
Renee has over 30 years of experience in affordable housing, including establishing and leading successful community and region-wide initiatives. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, financial management, marketing, organizational development, staff management, and program operations.
The Federal Landscape Today: Funding Cliffs, Policy Shifts, and Survival Tactics | 9:45-10:30am
Renee Willis, President and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition
Marcy Thompson, Vice President of Programs and Policy, National Alliance to End Homelessness
Samuel Gunter, Executive Director, NC Housing Coalition
Moderator: Stephanie Watkins-Cruz, Director of Housing Policy, NC Housing Coalition
Staying up to date on what’s happening in Washington can feel like a full-time job. We’ve brought together leaders from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and North Carolina Housing Coalition to give you a rundown on federal funding and policy updates. This panel will translate these changes into accessible and actionable next steps and help you understand state and local implications for service providers, developers, local governments, and advocates.
Breakout Sessions | 10:45-11:45am
Data
Getting Housed and Staying Housed: Investing in Long-Term Programmatic Success
Katrina Knight, Executive Director, Good Shepherd Center
Julie Paul, Program Director, Lotus Campaign
Matt Bieniek, Chief Administrative Officer, CASA
It is increasingly challenging to move individuals and families experiencing homelessness back to housing – even more so to make sure that the intervention sticks. Three providers from across North Carolina will share tips, tricks, strategies, and investments that have made their housing retention rates some of the most successful in the state, with a special focus on data capture and reporting.
Policy/Advocacy
Building Consensus Around Housing in Your Local Community
Marisol Bello, Executive Director, Housing Narrative Lab
Service providers, faith leaders, elected officials, business owners, and advocates all have a role to play in the local conversations that keep local communities focused on homelessness and housing solutions. We’ve brought in the experts from Housing Narrative Lab, a national, evidence-based narrative and communications hub that builds support for safe and affordable housing options. They’ll share the latest research on public perceptions, ideas for strategic messaging, and tips on storytelling that moves people to action.
Lived Expertise Advisory Council Panel | 11:45am-12:45pm
Maria Bryant
Jada Gaston
Terrelle Capers
Keena Lee
Von Nixson
Moderator: Eddie Blackstone, Baltimore Organizer, Community Development Network of Maryland
We’ve all heard the saying, “Those closest to the problem are also closest to the solution.” Now more than ever, making space for and standing by the expertise of those who have experienced homelessness is essential in ensuring our systems are person-centered and outcomes-oriented. Join us as we talk systems improvement and barriers to housing with our lived expertise panel moderated by Eddie Blackstone from Community Development Network of Maryland.
Breakout Sessions | 1:00-2:00pm
Creative Solutions
Landlord Engagement That Lasts Beyond Lease Up
Crystal Walls, Executive Director, HealthNet Gaston
Mitch Simmons, Regional Manager, Nu Experience Management
Asha Williams, Housing Navigator, HealthNet Gaston
We’d bet that almost every provider in North Carolina has “more landlord engagement” on their to-do list. Hear from an organization that has this challenging task down to a science! They’ll share their strategies for recruitment, appreciation, and mediation with a panel that features their housing navigator and case manager as well as a current landlord and a tenant.
Policy/Advocacy
State of the State: 2026 Funding and Policy Update
Samuel Gunter, Executive Director, NCHC
Marcy Thompson, Vice President of Programs and Policy, NAEH
Stephanie Watkins-Cruz, Director of Housing Policy, NCHC
With the General Assembly in the middle of the short session and federal headwinds changing constantly, it’s hard to know what’s coming next. This presentation will provide an overview from the North Carolina Housing Coalition of where things stand in state government and what key legislation to watch, with federal context and potential state impacts provided by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Breakout Sessions | 2:15-3:15pm
Systems
Addressing Child Homelessness through Local System Building
Beth Bordeaux, Founder and Co-Owner, Partners for Impact
Dr. Charlene Reiss, Consultant & Lead Qualitative Researcher, Partners for Impact
More than 40,000 children experience homelessness in North Carolina every year. Infants and toddlers are the highest risk population for becoming homeless, and the numbers continue to grow. Bring your local colleagues to this interactive workshop session to explore together creating a systems-change initiative addressing young child homelessness in your community. This will be a hands-on opportunity to learn how to address the unique needs of some of the most vulnerable children in our communities.
Policy/Advocacy
Fair Housing and Tenants Rights Training
Zach Tooman, Attorney, Legal Aid of NC
Nick MacLeod, Executive Director, NC Tenants Union
In this interactive session, attendees will work with the North Carolina Tenants Union and Legal Aid attorneys to better understand current tenant protections, resources available to households facing eviction, and options for renters who are facing discrimination, harassment, or abuse. Presenters will offer practical tools that prepare tenants for success and help providers empower their clients to advocate for housing justice.
