Organizational Updates
NC Housing Coalition Attends Cape Fear Housing Coalition Breakfast
Greetings from the Cape Fear Housing Coalition Legislative Breakfast! We’re recording this call on site at the North Campus of Cape Fear Community College where our Executive Director Samuel Gunter gave a state policy update to our partners in the Cape Fear Region, and members of the Property Tax Justice Working Group from Wake County highlighted their amazing work and accomplishments over the last two years. Shoutout to the Cape Fear Housing Coalition for inviting us once more and for being great partners. We look forward to next time!
Bringing it Home Registration Closes Friday
Homelessness services professionals and allies will gather on May 26-28 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh to learn, network, and collaborate with industry experts from across North Carolina and beyond. Check out our Bringing It Home 2026 Conference Page for more information. Registration (in-person $125; virtual $65) closes this Friday May 15. Contact skirby@nchousing.org with any questions.
Federal Updates
HUD Secretary Scott Turner to Testify on the Trump Administration’s FY27 Budget Request This Week
HUD Secretary Scott Turner is scheduled to testify before the House and Senate Appropriations Committees this week at hearings on the Trump administration’s fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget request for housing and community development programs. The House hearing is today (May 12) at 4:00 pm and the Senate’s hearing is Thursday, May 14 at 10:00 am. Watch a livestream of the House hearing here and of the Senate hearing here.
Federal Housing Legislation Update
Yesterday, Donald Trump posted to social media demanding that Congress pass the Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Currently, the legislation is at a standstill in the House, where some legislators are concerned about a provision to limit investor ownership of single-family homes and a provision related to the Federal Reserve issuing digital currency.
Poll Finds that Voters Overwhelmingly Support Housing Legislation
Republicans lawmakers are motivated by upcoming midterm elections to respond to voters’ concerns about rising affordability. Results from nationally representative poll administered by the Bipartisan Policy Center in late April found that 89% of voters say that the House and Senate need to work together to pass legislation aimed at improving housing affordability. 63% of voters say they would be more likely to vote for their representative or senator if they helped pass legislation to help build more affordable homes and lower housing costs.
HUD Updates from our Colleagues at the National Low Income Housing Coalition
- HUD Sends Follow-Up Guidance to PHAs Regarding Immigration Reverification Directive
- HOME Rulemaking Proposes to Remove Tenant Protections, Among Other Changes; Comments Due June 1
State Updates
NC Housing Finance Agency’s Urgent Repair Program Celebrates 20,000 Homes Served Statewide | National Council of State Housing Finance Agencies
More than 20,000 low-income homeowners in North Carolina have received emergency home repairs thanks to the Urgent Repair Program (URP) administered by the NC Housing Finance Agency. The program is supported by the NC Housing Trust Fund, which is funded by the NCGA.
Legislative Updates
Still no budget, it seems that there is progress towards agreement on tax policy however there is still a lot left to do and agree on before a budget can be passed.
Short Session Filing Deadline Update
- April 29 was the final deadline for filing for most other bills.
- May 5 was the final deadline for filing any new local bills.
- Bills proposing an amendment to or amending the constitution can still be filed, as can bills related to nominations, redistricting, and adjournment.
Property Tax Legislation Update
- An updated version of the affordable housing property tax modification bill HB1042 which is on the agenda for the House Finance Committee this morning (as we speak) was released late yesterday – we’re following this and anticipating additional changes to the bill – but here is the latest.
- SB889, which would pause property tax revaluations in 12 counties this year, passed in the Senate last week in a vote of 35-8. Speaker of the House Destin Hall has indicated he is “not necessarily opposed” to the bill but would like to see the bill included as part of a larger property tax package.
- A recent report released by the UNC School of Government found that “county tax levies usually rise after reappraisals, but not nearly as much as taxpayers fear.”
- The NC Budget & Tax Center is hosting a special Revenue Learning Lab session on property taxes next Monday, May 18 from 12-1 p.m on Zoom. During the event, you’ll hear from NCHC Community Justice Collaborative Director Hudson Vaughan and Logan Rockefeller Harris, Director of Research at the NC Budget & Tax Center. Learn more and register here.
Disaster Recovery Housing Updates
Helene recovery sparks debate over Asheville housing priorities | 828 News Now
Pricey admin, FEMA contributions? BPR reporters answer your biggest questions about our recent HUD investigation | Blue Ridge Public Radio
Nearly $5M in unspent Helene funds could end up in unrelated State Fire Marshal program | WLOS
Trump nominates Cameron Hamilton, fired after defending FEMA, to lead the agency | AP News
Local Headlines
Carrboro Apartment Fire – Update from Carrboro Fire-Rescue
A large fire broke out last Monday, May 4 at Hillside Apartments in Carrboro. Multiple units sustained significant fire and smoke damage. Thomas (Tommy) Owens Jr., a 53-year-old resident of Carrboro, died in the fire. At least 20 residents have been displaced. American Red Cross personnel are assisting displaced residents with temporary housing and immediate needs.
Morganton takes new approach with developer of proposed 144-unit project | The Paper
Affordable housing complex for teachers, county workers proposed for south Charlotte | WBTV
With a Deadline to Move Looming, Most Chatham Estates Residents Are Still In Limbo INDY Week
Affordable housing options on the table for the former DMV site in Raleigh on New Bern Avenue | ABC 11
Good Shepherd Center celebrates opening of SECU The Sparrow supportive housing community | WWAYTV3
Reports & Resources
Remodeling Growth to Slow Sharply in Early 2027 | Joint Center for Housing Studies
No Place to Land: Housing Insecurity Among Caregiving College Students | New America
Opportunity Zones 2.0 will offer place-based investment in low-income communities | Fed Communities
Events
[webinar] NC Budget & Tax Center Revenue Learning Lab: Property Taxes will be Monday, May 18 from 12-1 p.m. Learn more and register here.
NC Community Development Association (NCCDA) & Professional Housing Rehabilitation Association of NC (PHRANC) Annual Spring Conference | May 20-22 in New Bern. View the agenda and register here. Registration cost varies.
Our Executive Director, Samuel Gunter, and Vicki Nelson, President of the National Community Development Association, will be there discussing state and national community development policy updates.
[webinar] The Bipartisan Policy Center is hosting a webinar, “Homelessness, Housing Markets, and Federal Policy” on Thursday, May 21 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn more and register here.
Hendersonville Housing Summit | Wednesday, May 27, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Hendersonville High School. Learn more here.
- The event will feature an unveiling of the City of Hendersonville’s community-driven Strategic Housing Plan, an overview of new housing initiatives, and an opportunity to provide input to strengthen collaboration around housing affordability challenges.
- The summit is free and open to non-profit service providers, business representatives, government leaders, developers, lenders, affordable housing advocates, community members, and anyone committed to expanding and improving housing in Henderson County and across Western North Carolina.
Bringing it Home: Ending Homelessness in NC | May 27-28 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. Registration (in-person $125; virtual $65) closes May 15.
2026 CAHEC Partners Conference | June 9 – 10 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Registration ends May 22. 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.
Save the Date! The 2026 NC Affordable Housing Conference will be held October 22–23 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Early bird registration will open on July 27. More information to come. The Conference is presented by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, the North Carolina Housing Coalition and Centrant Community Capital.
