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Housing Call: August 25, 2026

Organizational Updates

Nominations for the 2026 NC Housing Coalition Awards are now open!

Each year at the NC Affordable Housing Conference breakfast, we recognize organizations and individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to advocate for affordable housing. If you or someone you know has excelled in housing advocacy over the last year, submit a nomination by September 18.

Register Now: NC Affordable Housing Conference

Early bird registration for The 2026 NC Affordable Housing Conference is now open! Get our best rate by registering before close of business on September 24 at 5 pm and check out the agenda to see what we have in store for our attendees. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders, exchange ideas and drive positive change. The 2026 NC Affordable Housing Conference will be held on October 22–23 at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Federal Updates

Stop the Community Reinvestment Act Rollback

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition is leading advocacy efforts to stop the rollback of  the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The CRA is a federal law designed to encourage banks to invest in and serve the communities where they operate. It was passed in 1977 in an effort to address decades of lending discrimination in minority communities via redlining and other practices. Recently proposed changes would decrease banks’ community development requirements, which would in turn weaken investments in Low Income Housing Tax Credits.   Learn more about what CRA rollbacks would mean for NC in NCRC’s analysis and interactive map.  

National Housing Trust Fund State Allocations Released after Delay

Earlier this month, HUD released the long-awaited state allocations for the National Housing Trust Fund that had been held up by the Trump Administration without explanation. NC’s 2026 formula allocation is $5.63 M, which  represents a modest increase from the 2025 allocation of $4.71 M.  National HTF funds may be used for the production or preservation of affordable housing through the acquisition, new construction, reconstruction, and/or rehabilitation of non-luxury housing with suitable amenities. All HTF-assisted units will be required to have a minimum affordability period of 30 years

Reminder: Urge Congress to Block Elimination of Disparate Impact Regulations by October 9 

As we mentioned on last week’s call, on August 10 HUD issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking that would eliminate the agency’s longstanding disparate impact regulations that implement Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin toward recipients of federal financial assistance, including federally assisted housing. If disparate impact regulations are eliminated, housing policies that disproportionately harm protected groups would be more difficult to prove in court. Public comments on this proposal are due by October 9, 2026. Use the National Council of Nonprofits’ tool to email your members of Congress and urge them to block implementation of OMB’s proposed rule.

State Updates

Legislative Updates

Earlier this month, Governor Stein signed SB445: Regulatory Reform Act of 2026 into law. This legislation is expected to boost housing supply by:

  1. Allowing Residential-by-right development in commercially zoned areas of cities of 80,000 or greater in counties with a population of 1 million or greater – meaning this would only apply to Charlotte, Raleigh, and Cary;  and
  2. Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units by-right in all areas zoned for detached single-family residential use in cities where the population is greater than 50,000.

Last week, Gov. Stein vetoed 2 bills:

  • HB 958 focused on anti-voter legislation that would shorten early voting during primaries by 1 week and make it easier for lawful ballots to be challenged.
  • HB 377 included various court changes but would give the Chief Justice authority to suspend trial judges without pay – a power that no other Chief Justice in the US has.

The NC General Assembly will briefly reconvene next week. No votes are expected.

Featured Article: HB 1042

Interested in learning more about HB 1042 and efforts to tighten property tax exemptions meant for affordable housing developers that are being misused by for-profit developers? Check out this piece from INDYWeek: The Million-Dollar Industry Built Around NC’s Affordable Housing Tax Break. 

Disaster Recovery Housing Updates

RenewNC Webinar & Workshops – Multi-Family (Non-LIHTC) and Workforce Housing for Ownership
On August 25, Renew NC will launch its sixth and final disaster recovery program, Workforce Housing for Ownership. This multi-family housing program is designed to expand accessibility to safe and affordable housing in HUD-Identified Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) counties in western North Carolina.

Renew NC is accepting applications to its Multi-Family Housing Repair and Reconstruction Program. While prescreening isn’t required to apply, it is strongly encouraged. Visit commerce recovery.nc.gov to learn more.  A webinar will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 10-11:30 a.m. Maggie Battaglin is presenting. Details and registration info for the Teams session is available here. NC Commerce highly recommends this session for potential applicants.’   

In-Person: Technical Assistance Workshops

Also, following the August 26 webinar, RenewNC will host in-person Multi-Family and Workforce Housing for Ownership program workshops at the five Council of Governments locations in western NC. These workshops are highly recommended for potential applicants and will provide an opportunity to ask specific questions and receive additional guidance following the virtual information session.

  • High Country COG, September 8 at 1 pm
  • Southwest Commission, September 9 at 10 am
  • Land of Sky, September 9 at 3pm
  • Foothills Commission, September 10 at 10 am
  • Western Piedmont, September 10 at 3 pm

Free Foreclosure Prevention Services for Helene-Impacted Homeowners

Homeowners late on their mortgage payments or concerned about being able to afford continued mortgage payments can access free foreclosure prevention services. OnTrack is a private non-profit, community-supported, and HUD-certified counseling agency offering free foreclosure prevention services to help Helene-impacted homeowners negotiate with their lenders. Learn how to schedule a counseling session.

Other Disaster Recovery Resources

Local Headlines

Asheville zoning panel backs more duplexes, ADUs | 828NewsNow

Working class included in latest affordable housing initiative | themountaineer.com

Hickory Mobile Home Park Sale Leaves Families With Two Weeks to Pack Up | Hoodline

Greensboro celebrates milestone in ‘Road to 10,000’ housing initiative | FOX8 WGHP

New partnership offers practical affordable housing | The Daily Tar Heel

Land Trust Opens Affordable Development | The Daily Tar Heel

SolarEquity partners with two affordable housing nonprofits to install solar panels | The Daily Tar Heel

Raleigh leaders outline three-pronged plan to tackle affordable housing shortfall | WRAL

What does ‘affordable’ housing cost? 35% of Wake voters say under $250,000 | AOL

Down to Business: New owners make improvements to Wilson Mobile Home Park | Wilton Times

Greenville City Council approves Revive and Restore program to boost homeownership | WCTI

Wilmington City Council narrowly approves $2 million for affordable housing project | WECT

Reports, Events, and Resources

[report] Proposed HUD Work Requirements Could Put Residents in Public and Assisted Housing at Risk of Housing Instability | Urban Institute

[report]  How Homeowners Are Reacting to Rising Property Insurance Costs | Urban Institute

[webinar] Land with a Plan: Using Design as a Strategic Tool in Land Banking | Center for Community Progress, Thursday, August 27 at 12:00 PM. Register here.

[webinar] (Almost) Everything Your Nonprofit Needs to Know About the 2026 Election | NC Center for Nonprofits, August 28 from 10-11:30 a.m. Register here.

How to Speak at City Council Training Thursday, September 10, 6:30pm – 8:00pm,  McPherson Residence Inn Marriott, 1108 W Main St, Durham

Join CITYBUILDER and Yes! In My Triangle for this free training to learn how to speak at City Council and public meetings. Participants will be joined by local leaders and advocates, as well as the Duke University Improv team. This training is free and open to the public, but registration is limited. Please register at the link.

UNC School of Government – Upcoming Community Development Courses

Recommended read

Housing Call: August 18, 2026

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