Federal Updates
ACTION ALERT – July 22, 2025 – Save HOME & HUD Counseling Funding in FY26
This week is a critical opportunity to advocate against funding cuts for essential affordable housing resources. On July 13, the House Appropriations Committee released their proposed FY26 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) budget, which in addition to zeroing out HUD Housing Counseling funds, eliminates HOME funding and various other housing resources by cutting over $939 million in funding. The House bill has passed through markup, a process of reviewing and proposing amendments to the bill, and passed along party lines with a vote of 35-28.
We’re asking once again for you to contact your Senators this week to protect critical federal housing resources, in particular HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding and HUD Housing Counseling funding. The Senate is expected to consider their version this Thursday, July 24.
Virtually all Federal housing funds are currently at risk, and our colleagues across the housing spectrum are highlighting how the loss of different funds would impact housing and homelessness in North Carolina and beyond. Check out the following action items and resources from our partners:
National Fair Housing Alliance Letter to Protect Fair Housing Funding
ACTION Campaign Letter to Protect HOME Program Funding
Joint Sign-On Letter to Protect Rental Assistance and EHV Funding
National Alliance to End Homelessness FY26 Federal Budget Resources
You can use the script(s) and resources below when you reach out to your Senators!
SAMPLE SCRIPTS
Hello, my name is (First Name, Last Name) and I am a constituent of Senator (Tillis/Budd). I’m calling today to urge (member of Congress) to protect and expand affordable housing and homelessness resources including:
- Restore $57.5 million in HUD Housing Counseling Assistance funding in the FY26 budget
- Restore $1.25 billion in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding in the FY26 budget
- Full funding to renew all existing House Choice Voucher (HCV) contracts and funding to renew the 60,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) at risk.
Housing counseling, HOME funds, and Emergency Housing Vouchers are all essential resources for stable housing and economic advancement in North Carolina. These funds prevent homelessness, scale housing development for our growing state, and support first-time homebuyers. Without these funds, the housing crisis will continue to worsen in North Carolina: thousands will be at risk of homelessness, prices will skyrocket, and homeownership will be farther out of reach for families across the state.
National Low Income Housing Coalition FY26 Budget advocacy resources:
Toolkit: Opposing Cuts to Federal Investments in Affordable Housing
NLIHC’s Take Action Page
Storytelling Guide
Sign-On Letter
NLIHC Advocacy Hub
State Updates
Disaster Recovery
NC VOAD Coordinating Tropical Storm Chantal Relief
NC VOAD will host a coordination call on Tuesday, July 22 at 11:30 am. They would like to hear from responding agencies and cover what goods and services are needed and which can be provided and distributed.
For a locally-organized, comprehensive roundup of resources for survivors and helpers, visit https://linktr.ee/ChantalMutualAid, run by Triangle Mutual Aid. (en español here).
AG Jeff Jackson Sues Over $200 Million in Cuts to Water, Sewer, and Flood Protections
Last week, NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson and 19 other state attorneys general sued the Trump Administration over their decision to end FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC program. Jackson hopes to restore funding that was previously promised to local governments. Before its cancellation, BRIC provided over $200 million to protect North Carolina’s infrastructure, including water and sewer services that have been devastated by recent storms.
Renew NC Accepting Applications in WNC
As we’ve mentioned on previous calls, the NC Dept of Commerce’s Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program is now accepting applications. This centralized housing rehabilitation, reconstruction or replacement program will prioritize low- to –moderate-income families with seniors aged 62 and older, children, and/or disabled household members impacted by Hurricane Helene in one of the eligible 29 counties. There are 4 ways to apply:
- Online at https://renewnc.org/
- In-person at RenewNC offices
- Mobile App: Google Play or Apple Store
- Phone Call: 1-888-791-0207
Read more about qualifications and the documentation needed to apply.
Legislative Updates
State Budget
Still no state budget. The General Assembly is expected to reconvene again next week on July 29. To view our updated Bill Tracker, click here.
Upcoming Disaster Recovery Committee Meeting
On Wednesday, July 30 at 9am, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, Subcommittee on Hurricane Response & Recovery will convene. Watch here.
Local Headlines
No-cost repairs help residents hold on to homes and lower their utility bills | WFAE 90.7
Evictions surge in Mecklenburg County, prompting urgent calls for housing support | WSOC
Energy Saver North Carolina program aims to provide savings | wataugademocrat.com
New Wake County shelter for people in need moves closer to final completion | NC Newsline
New Hanover County commissioners disband workforce housing advisory committee | WECT (For more context check out this link: After strenuous debate, New Hanover County commissioners pass a significantly reduced budget in a split vote | WHQR)
After failing to pass last year, councilman wants to re-approach downtown public camping ordinance | Port City Daily
Reports
NC Housing Costs at Record Highs in 2025 Out of Reach Report
Last Thursday’s newly released 2025 Out of Reach Report shows that affordable housing is not attainable anywhere in North Carolina for lower wage earners. On average, full time workers need to earn at least $27.14 an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent in NC. In the state’s most populated regions, this housing wage is as high as $36.00 an hour. But the affordability crisis isn’t limited to our urban areas: a minimum wage earner making $7.25 an hour in rural North Carolina must have 2.2 full time jobs or work 86 hours per week to afford a modest one bedroom apartment and must work 107 hours per week to afford a two-bedroom apartment. Check out our blog post about this year’s Out of Reach (OOR) report here: Affordable Housing is Out of Reach in North Carolina for Low-Wage Workers
“This report is a critical reminder that we cannot reduce the affordable housing crisis down to individual choice or supply alone. This report reminds us that wages are not keeping up with the cost of living and that more and more North Carolinians are experiencing the strain of cost-burden across our state. Making an even greater case for why we need solutions that address supply, stability, subsidy, and systems to address the true scale of the need.” -Stephanie Watkins-Cruz, Director of Housing Policy
Veteran Homelessness is Decreasing in North Carolina | NC Housing Finance Agency
What Work Requirements and Time Limits Could Mean for Federal Housing Assistance | The Housing Solutions Lab at NYU
Rental Assistance Time Limits Would Place More Than 3 Million People — Half of Them Children — at Risk of Eviction and Homelessness | Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
Who is Served by the Housing Choice Voucher Program? A State- and County-Level Look | Terner Center for Housing Innovation
Opportunities Remain to Address Housing and Community Development Priorities Not Included in Reconciliation Bill | Novogradac
Events
Webinars
Learning from and Protecting Emergency Housing Vouchers Series | National Low Income Housing Coalition, the National Alliance to End Homelessness & the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, July 23 at 1 p.m. Register here.
The Past, Present, and Future of Credit Scores in Housing Finance | Urban Institute, July 24 at 3 p.m.. Register here.
Navigating Uncertainty in Federal Funding Streams for Housing | Housing Solutions Lab & the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, July 24 from 1-2:30 p.m. Register here.
Conferences & Trainings
Rural Housing Preservation Academy | Enterprise Community Partners, August 6 -7 in Knoxville, TN. Register here by August 4.
Affordable Housing Seminar: Tools, Strategies, and Case Studies for Local Government Leadership | UNC School of Government, October 16, 2025 in Chapel Hill. Course registration cost: $265
This interactive in-person seminar is designed for elected and appointed officials (including managers and department heads) from local governments who are setting strategic direction around affordable housing. The seminar will focus on local government support and public-private partnerships for workforce residential housing.
Save the Date: 2026 CAHEC Partners Conference June 9-10, 2026
