Housing Call: November 4, 2025 – North Carolina Housing Coalition

Federal Updates

The Federal Shutdown
The Federal shutdown is approaching week 6, and this evening will surpass the 2019 shutdown to become the longest shutdown in Federal history. Things may be looking up though. Politico reports that bipartisan funding conversations in the Senate seem to be moving in the right direction.

A refresher on what’s happening: Republicans need bipartisan support to pass a budget, but have been unwilling to compromise with Democratic lawmakers who want the spending bill to include a clean extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the calendar year. Without ACA subsidies, North Carolinians who get insurance on the Marketplace are expected to pay an average of $670 more per year in premiums next year.

Federal ruling partially restores SNAP
Last Tuesday, North Carolina joined 24 other states in filing a lawsuit against the USDA for unlawfully freezing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the Federal shutdown despite the availability of a $6 Billion contingency fund. On Friday, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration cannot freeze SNAP funding for the more than 42 million people who rely on it. Yesterday, the USDA announced that it will use the entire emergency fund to pay out November SNAP benefits, but due to limited funding, recipients will only receive half the amount they usually receive. Over 1.4 million North Carolinians, or about 13% of the state’s population rely on SNAP benefits. NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson encourages extra support to local food pantries until the shutdown ends.

LIHEAP Funds Remain Stalled at Federal Level
Federal funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) remain stalled in the US Department of Health and Human Services amidst the shutdown. Last Monday, Pennsylvania Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick sent a letter to the US Department of Health and Human Services advocating for the continuous funding of LIHEAP during the shutdown. LIHEAP funds are disbursed to states to provide assistance with utility bills. In NC, it helps provide crucial one-time payments to help older adults, people with disabilities, and families in crisis pay their heating bills.

HUD Rental Assistance Paid Through November
HUD rental assistance programs will continue to be paid through at least November. We are continuing to keep an eye on when those funds may run out, which would be devastating for people’s housing and stability.

Action Alert: Share Stories and Tell Congress to Fund Housing Counseling
We are collecting stories about the positive impact of housing counseling in North Carolina as we advocate for Congress to keep their commitment to fund housing counseling for the next year. Share your story here and share this opportunity with your networks.

Other Federal Headlines

House Republicans Urge HUD to Renew Current Continuum of Care Awards, Citing the Potential for Significant Delays in Funding | NLIHC

NLIHC Joins Native Leaders in Urging White House and Congress to Defend the CDFI Fund | NLIHC

State Updates

WHLP Sign On Letter Remains Open – Sign On Today!
For the past few weeks, we’ve been circulating a letter to our network addressed to leaders in the NC General Assembly in support of the Workforce Housing Loan program (WHLP). After multiple conversations with key stakeholders and the change in agenda last week at the General Assembly we have decided to keep the letter open for two more weeks. So far we have over 80 signatures from 30 organizations, and 50+ individuals from across the state. Thank you to everyone who has signed on so that housing for communities across NC can support our workforce, families, seniors, and more. SIGN ON TODAY! And share with your colleagues to sign as we work together to restore one of our state’s most important housing resources. The new deadline is November 10, 2025.

State Headlines

Last week, Governor Josh Stein proclaimed November Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month.

Rural NC legal aid offices close after General Assembly freezes public assistance fund over politics | NC Newsline

State officials press for answers on delayed Helene recovery program | WUNC

Local Headlines

Municipal Elections Today
Today is Election Day! There are no state or federal elections in North Carolina, but some municipalities are holding elections today. The North Carolina State Board of Elections’ Local Voter Too l can help you find more information about any elections in your area. Local decisions about zoning and land use are crucial to the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Be sure to make your voice heard if there is an election in your community!

Housing reconstruction program gets a boost after Asheville City Council vote | WLOS

Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Affordable Housing Development | WKYK

City council approves Housing Trust Fund spending | QCity Metro

Housing is still unaffordable in Charlotte, despite a supply gain | Axios

Building a granny flat or tiny house in Charlotte, North Carolina? The city might spot you up to $80K. | Multifamily Dive

Wilmington Housing Authority greenlights Hillcrest complex demolition and rebuild | WECT

Webinars

Using Data to Address Homelessness: Insights from a National Study on Permanent Supportive Housing | Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, November 5, 1 p.m. Register here.

Advocacy 101 Training | National Alliance to End Homelessness, November 12, 2-3 p.m. Register here.

Better Together: Community Voices, Hospitals And Banks Advancing Housing & Health | National Community Reinvestment Coalition, November 14 , 1 – 2 pm. Learn more and register here.

Events

The Barton South – Affordable Housing Groundbreaking Ceremony | Thursday, November 6 at 10:00 AM, 2120 Barton Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28217 (formerly 6000 Old Pineville Road). If attending, please RSVP to:

Leila White, Director of Executive Operations

Blue Ridge Atlantic Development

lwhite@blueridgeatlantic.com | 470-519-9129

HOPE NC’s Annual Inclusive Housing Summit | November 17 at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill. Cost: $50 (individual), $100 (professional). Click here to learn more.

2025 Conference for North Carolina’s Nonprofits | NC Center for Nonprofits, November 19-20, 2025 in Research Triangle Park. Early bird registration cost is $265 and will increase to $365 once early bird tickets are sold out. Click here to learn more.

2025 Enterprise Faith-Based Development Initiative Summit (Virtual) | Enterprise Community Partners, December 4 from 12-3:30 p.m. Register here.

Registration for NLIHC’s Housing Policy Forum 2026 will open on November 5! The 2026 Forum will feature conversations with key leaders in Congress, as well as an array of other compelling speakers and panelists, including civil rights activist and author Bakari Sellers.