Federal Updates
21st Century ROAD to Housing Act becomes Law without President’s Signature
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law without the President’s signature on Saturday at 12:01am – the end of the 10 day waiting period during which he neither vetoed nor signed the bill. After months of back and forth between the Senate and the House, the final version passed a few weeks ago on June 22 in the House and June 23 in the Senate. To see a summary of the final version, as well as of the differences between various sections click here.
Resources:
- 21st Century Road to Housing Act Impacts on Low-Income Households | National Low Income Housing Coalition
- Ranking Member Maxine Waters Celebrates Historic Bipartisan, Bicameral Housing Package Becoming Law (fin-depth bill timeline)
District Court Rules Against HUD in CoC NOFO Lawsuit
On June 30, the U.S. The District Court of Rhode Island ruled that HUD violated the law with both the November and December 2025 Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs). HUD has been ordered to release the FY 2025 CoC funds. However, the court ruling stopped short of putting a permanent stop to HUD’s ability to do this again in the future. The FY 2026 NOFO issued on June 1, 2026 could put as many as 97,000 people at risk of returning to homelessness.
State Updates
Legislative Updates
2026-2027 Budget Passed
On Tuesday, July 7, Governor Josh Stein signed the FY 26-27 state budget into law. While the completion of a budget finally releases much-needed housing funds throughout the state, several policy changes within the bill will exacerbate income inequality and stifle local housing initiatives. See last week’s blog for our housing budget breakdown.
Governor Vetoes Bill Criminalizing Homelessness
On Wednesday, July 8, Governor Stein vetoed HB437: Drug-Free Zones/Unauthorized Public Camping, saying, “We all want people experiencing homelessness to get back on their feet and live in safe, affordable housing. Yet, this poorly constructed bill makes that goal harder and creates another significant unfunded mandate for local governments.” The NC Housing Coalition has issued a joint statement with the NC Coalition to End Homelessness, which includes a sign on letter with over 300 signatures from organizations and advocates across the state. We will continue to advocate against this bill as it heads back to the NCGA.
Disaster Recovery Housing Updates
Governor’s Advisory Committee on WNC Recovery Convening This Week
The Governor’s Advisory Committee on WNC Recovery will meet this Friday, July 17 from 10-11:30 a.m. View the agenda here and register to attend by Zoom here.
North Carolina state budget allocates more than $700 million to Helene recovery | WLOS
HUD proposes to roll back protections, placing vulnerable communities at greater flood risk | Southern Environmental Law Center
State & Local Headlines
Through anti-displacement project, Asheville hopes to prevent existing residents from being priced out | Blue Ridge Public Radio
Brooklyn Village site in Charlotte changes hands twice in two month span | The Real Deal
Burlington Housing Authority breaks ground on Hope Village development | WGHP
Cape Fear, Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity affiliates explore potential merger | WECT
New Hanover County could re-enter affordable housing sector, as a low-interest lender | WHQR
Dare Housing Foundation outlines path forward for affordable housing projects | Island Free Press
Duke Energy wants to raise rates, even as help for homeowners expires | WRAL
Opinion: North Carolina’s housing crisis | Wake Weekly
Reports, Events, and Resources
[webinar] Recovery, Mental Health, and Housing | Opportunity Starts at Home Campaign & Legal Action Center. July 14, 2 p.m. Learn more and register here.
The webinar will outline the connection between access to affordable housing and recovery for individuals with substance use disorders and/or mental health conditions.
[webinar] Scaling Impact: Lessons from 14 Cities on Local Home Repair Programs | NYU Housing Solutions Labs, Thursday, July 16, 12-1 p.m. Learn more and register here.
[podcast] Golden LEAF Critical Conversations: Housing as Economic Development
Duplexes and townhomes do not always make housing cheaper | Housing Wire
Why Affordable Housing Needs Operational Expertise, Not Just Capital | Housing Finance
Linking Health Records to Census Bureau Data Identifies Better Ways to Measure Social Risk | US Census/Journal of the American Medical Association
