Federal Updates
Federal Housing & Community Development Resources At Risk
Federal Budget negotiations continue to threaten the future of Housing & Community Development programs and resources. The House and Senate are currently working to reach topline spending agreements. The important thing to note is that these decisions are not final, and there is still time to influence the House and Senate before they release their respective budgets. In partnership with the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), we are encouraging folks to reach out to their members of Congress to make sure they understand the impact these cuts would have. NLIHC has developed a Federal Budget Advocacy Toolkit and a FY26 Budget Chart for Selected Federal Housing Programs (The House and Senate Columns are blank because they have not yet released their respective budgets, meaning there is still time for advocacy).
Proposed Rescission of HUD’s Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Regulations
In a disappointing but anticipated move, last week HUD published a proposed rule to rescind their Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing regulations. If finalized, the rule would remove requirements that ensure owners of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Insurance or Multifamily Housing rental assistance programs use an affirmative fair housing marketing plan to advertise their properties. This long standing, historically uncontroversial rule is designed to ensure outreach to all potentially eligible households, especially those least likely to apply for assistance, and is especially important if a development is located in a low-poverty area. This move comes as another blow in a series of efforts by the Trump administration to gut fair housing. Public comments are due July 3.
Rep. Adams Introduces American Neighborhoods Protection Act
Last week, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) introduced the American Neighborhoods Protection Act to protect and improve family home ownership opportunities. This bill would require corporations that own more than 75 single-family residences to pay $10,000 per home annually into a Housing Trust Fund for down payment assistance grants to families purchasing homes. This would lower housing costs, increase housing supply, and provide financial assistance to families looking to buy a home.
Corporate housing ownership is a growing problem nationwide. In 2021, corporations bought 33% of single-family homes in Georgia, 31% in Arizona, 30% in Nevada, and 29% in both California and Texas. The issue of corporate-owned housing in Charlotte has received local and national attention. In 2023, 26% of single-family homes were owned by corporations, a 53% increase since 2010. Meanwhile, a report by the NC Chamber Foundation found that North Carolina’s affordable housing crisis is expected to grow over the next five years if left unchecked.
State Updates
Gov. Stein Hosts Panel on Housing Affordability and Supply Crisis
Last week, our Executive Director Samuel Gunter participated in a roundtable discussion on housing with Governor Josh Stein. Other participants included state and local elected officials, the NC Housing Finance Agency, and other housing policy and advocacy organizations. The discussion focused primarily on how to more effectively facilitate land use to meet the growing demand for housing in NC.
Legislative Updates
NCGA Announces Conferees for State Budget Negotiations
Last week, the state House & Senate announced conferees for state budget negotiations. The Republican-led group of 34 Senators and 45 Representatives will work to reconcile the vast differences in their respective chambers’ budgets. Among the issues of contention are tax cuts and teacher pay.
One of our biggest priorities currently is making sure that members understand the importance of restoring the Workforce Housing Loan Program (WHLP) which is a critical affordable housing finance tool that makes housing possible across our entire state. As it stands, the House budget appropriates $5M for the program and the Senate budget doesn’t provide any funding for the program. The previous biennium budget appropriated $70M to WHLP.
Updated Crossover Bill Tracker
We’ve updated our bill tracker to reflect housing-related bills that survived crossover. Check it out here: https://airtable.com/embed/appCNo7fovw25rgNv/shrv9c1wamvjOIoJf?viewControls=on
Disaster Recovery
Governor’s Advisory Committee on WNC Recovery Meeting
Yesterday, the Governor’s Advisory Committee on WNC Recovery met to share updates on rebuilding and recovery efforts. The Single Family Housing Repair and Replacement Program plans to accept applications beginning June 16 through the end of the calendar year. GROW NC is working with Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization to spread awareness about the program and provide support to applicants.
NC Inclusive Disaster Recovery (NCIDR) Network Holds Press Event at NCGA
Yesterday, the NCIDR Network held a press event at the state legislature to spotlight unmet recovery needs in Western NC and call for additional funding. The NCIDR event comes at a critical moment for policy and preparedness. While state appropriations have supported important recovery work, substantial gaps remain, especially in housing, small business support, and public sector capacity to respond and rebuild.
Impacted residents and business owners spoke to the need for rental assistance and small business grants. Network facilitator Andy Shoenig noted that $1M only provides around 350 families with 2-months of rental assistance.
Key Issues for Legislative Action:
- Housing: Rental and mortgage assistance for displaced residents
- Economic Recovery: Support for small businesses and unemployed workers
- Public Infrastructure: Investment in FEMA and NCEM readiness
- Mitigation and Resilience: Long-term rebuilding strategies that unite Western North Carolina and Eastern North Carolina
The NC House passed a Helene aid package in May, which has now stalled out in the Senate, where Republican leaders want to tie disaster funding to the state budget and use it as leverage in budget negotiations.
WNC Disaster Recovery Hotline
Pisgah Legal Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Bar Foundation are holding a WNC Disaster Recovery Hotline tomorrow, June 11, 2025 from 12pm – 6pm. This one-day hotline is intended to prioritize legal help for those with the most urgent needs. All services are confidential and free. Interpreters are available.
The hotline number above will only be answered on June 11 from 12pm – 6pm. For non-disaster related legal needs or if you are unable to call during the hotline hours and have been impacted by Hurricane Helene, please apply any time for legal assistance with Pisgah Legal Services or Legal Aid of North Carolina.
Local Headlines
New affordable housing project begins in northeast Charlotte | WFAE
‘Keep Gate City Housed’ Wants County Money To Fight Evictions | The Rhino Times of Greensboro
The plan to build 10,000 homes in Greensboro in the next five years | WFMY
Durham Housing Authority owes more than $2 million, asking city for 7-figure loan | WRAL
Developer turns second abandoned Fayetteville hotel into $700 apartments | CBS17
“Building a community”: Groundbreaking held in Wilmington for new housing for the homeless | WECT
New Bern Housing Authority unveiled final redevelopment plan for damaged public housing | WCTI
Events
Webinars
Boosting Housing Supply through the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act | The Neighborhood Homes Coalition, June 10, 2-3 p.m. Register here.
Strengthening Renters’ Rights: A Primer on State and Local Tenant Protections | National Low Income Housing Coalition, June 11, 2 p.m. Register here.
Expanding Community Development Financial Institutions to New Geographies and Markets | Federal Reserve Bank of New York, June 12 2:30 p.m. Register here.
One Big Beautiful Webinar | NC Center for Nonprofits, June 13, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here. The webinar will discuss details of provisions in the House-passed bill that could affect charitable giving, nonprofit tax exemption, and federal benefits for people served by nonprofits as well as possible changes to the bill in the Senate.
The State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 | Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, June 24, 2 p.m. Register here.
Rent Regulation in Practice: Economic Insights and Regional Perspectives | Bipartisan Policy Center, July 10 at 2 p.m. Register here.
Events
The Bipartisan Policy Center’s 2025 Terwilliger Center Summit on Housing Supply Solutions | June 18, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Register here.
JAMMI Jam 2025 | Olive Hill Community Economic Development Corporation, Inc., June 28, 2025, 6-9 p.m., Morganton, NC Amphitheater
National Conference on Ending Homelessness | June 30 – July 2 in Washington, D.C. Register here.
