Organizational Updates
Bringing it Home 2026
Thanks to all who joined us in Raleigh last week! Slides are now available via the link emailed out to attendees yesterday.
Federal Updates
2025 Point In Time (PIT) Count Released
On Friday, HUD released the 2025 PIT Count data, which captures the number of people experiencing homelessness on a given night across the US as tallied by Continuum of Care (CoC).
Between 2024-2025, NC reported a 33% increase in total homelessness–the highest increase of any state. Overall, NC reported 15,512 people experiencing homelessness in 2025 (10,712 sheltered & 4,800 unsheltered). This includes 4,012 people in families with children, 585 unaccompanied youth, and 752 veterans.
The report demonstrates a one-year increase of 3,886 additional North Carolinians experiencing homelessness (33%). This increase is largely driven by individuals displaced by the hurricane who are enrolled in disaster-related transitional hotel sheltering programs on the night of the PIT count.
- Together the Asheville-Buncombe CoC and Balance of State (which includes the surrounding rural counties in WNC) reported nearly 4,000 people who lost their housing and were enrolled in disaster-related shelter assistance programs on the night of the PIT. These individuals displaced by the hurricane accounted for nearly all of Asheville’s increase in homelessness in 2025.
- Initial estimates suggest Hurricane Helene resulted in the damage or destruction of more than 73,000 homes, with the real number likely being much higher.
- It’s important to mention that the PIT Count is historically an undercount because it struggles to capture “hidden homelessness”–people doubling up with friends or relatives, paying for extended stays with their own resources, etc.
THUD Spending Bill Markup Scheduled for Tomorrow
The House Appropriations full committee markup of the FY 27 Transportation, Housing & Urban Development (THUD) spending bill is scheduled for tomorrow, June 3 at 11 AM. The THUD spending bill provides annual federal funding to critical HUD services and programs that communities rely on for affordable, accessible housing, rental assistance, homelessness services and more. The proposal includes an 8% cut in funding–over $5.94 Billion less funding–than what was provided for Housing programs in FY26. See the latest analysis and overview of the bill from our partners at the National Low Income Housing Coalition here.
Click here for the link to stream the full committee markup.
National Fair Housing Alliance Sues CFPB and Acting Director Vought to Block Dismantling of 50 Years of Fair and Fair and Affordable Credit Protections | National Fair Housing Alliance
State Updates
Private equity companies buy more apartment units | NC Newsline
Legislative Updates
The NCGA is back in session this week.
Committee Meetings this week:
- The Senate Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee is scheduled to discuss HB369: Parking Lot Reform/Stormwater Control tomorrow at 9 a.m. This bill proposes doing away with parking minimums.
- The House Rules Committee is scheduled to discuss the Proposed Committee Substitute for S445: Regulatory Reform Act of 2026 on today, June 2, at 1 p.m. This bill includes land use items that would allow residential development in commercial districts as well as ADUs by-right.
NCHC Bill Tracker: https://airtable.com/appCNo7fovw25rgNv/shrf8yiDBaJy9XFWu
Disaster Recovery
Asheville shifts federal housing funds to replace lead pipes | 828 NewsNow
As Asheville weighs more HUD funds for Helene home repairs, nonprofits urge another path | WUNC
Use millions in disaster recovery grant money to build hundreds of new, affordable rental units, or use it to repair existing homes? | Asheville Watchdog
Western North Carolina Home Repair Readiness Program
The pre-screening tool for Renew NC’s Multi-Family Construction Housing Program is now open. Although this is not a requirement, this will help determine eligible projects prior to the official NOFO release.
Local Headlines
Governor Stein Highlights Importance of Construction Apprenticeships Following Housing Affordability Executive Order | NC Governor
Hendersonville unveils affordable housing plan with 48 initiatives | WLOS
Cary’s affordable housing options shrink as mobile home park sale uproots 140 households | WUNC
Teacher reacts to plans to build affordable housing community for teachers | Spectrum Local News
Reports
Building Homes Near Jobs, Stores, and Transit Saves Public Dollars | The Pew Charitable Trusts
How states can incentivize local investing to find new capital for businesses and housing | Brookings Institute
Homelessness, Housing Markets, and Federal Policy: Local Lessons and Policy Implications | The Bipartisan Policy Center
Cash assistance for housing: Debates, emerging evidence, and open questions | NYU Housing Solutions Lab
Are Affordability Perceptions Reducing Household Mobility and Exacerbating the Housing Shortage? | Fannie Mae
Events
[webinar] Building a Data-Informed Opportunity Zone Case Webinar | HUD, June 2 from 2-3:30 PM ET. Learn more and register here.
[webinar] Permanent Supportive Housing at a Crossroads: Strengthening Resident Outcomes Amid Growing System Challenges | Terner Center for Housing Innovation, Thursday, June 4, 1-2 p.m. ET. Learn more and register here.
[webinar] When College and Housing Collide: Addressing Homelessness Among College Students | co-hosted by Opportunity Starts at Home (OSAH) campaign roundtable members New America and SchoolHouse Connection, June 18 from 3 – 4 pm ET. Learn more and register here.
[webinar] Federal Fair Housing Basics | Justice in Aging, Wednesday, June 24 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET. Learn more and register here.
The National Fair Housing Alliance is hosting their 2026 Conference, “Building the Future We Deserve: Solutions for America’s Fair and Affordable Housing Crisis” from June 27-30 at the Capital Hilton in D.C. Virtual and in person registration options available (registration cost varies). Learn more and register here.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is hosting their 2026 conference and Capitol Hill Day from July 8-10 in D.C. Standard rate: $985. Learn more and register here.
Charlotte Planners’ Meetup | NC Chapter of the American Planning Association, Thursday, July 9 from 6-8 p.m. at Hopfly Brewing in Southend.
- Come network, catch up with colleagues, and hang out with other planners. Open to all planners and related fields.
