Organizational Update
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Federal Updates
SNAP Benefits Set to Lapse As Federal Shutdown Continues
We are entering Day 28 of the Federal shutdown. Politico reports that a budget breakthrough this week seems unlikely with President Trump traveling overseas. For the first time in modern history, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is expected to lapse on Saturday, November 1, impacting over 1.4 million North Carolinians, or about 13% of the state’s population. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and more than 20 other state Attorneys General penned a letter to the head of the USDA last week threatening to sue the USDA if they continue to withhold SNAP funds. “The USDA has the money to keep SNAP running – including $6 billion in reserve funds set aside for exactly this situation. Refusing to use those funds would be unlawful and a stunning disregard for the wellbeing of roughly 600,000 children in our state,” said Jackson. “The USDA cannot withhold food from children just to play shutdown politics – and we will take them to court if they try.”
Republican legislators are split on whether to support standalone bills providing temporary fixes to SNAP and pay for some Federal employees. Senate Republicans are expected to convene for lunch today and discuss whether to allow votes on these bills.
Pressure is compounding for Democrats as the shutdown’s impacts widen. Yesterday, the largest Federal union, the American Federation of Government Employees, called on Democrats to side with Republicans and pass a clean Continuing Resolution to end what is now the second longest Federal shutdown in history. Senate Democrats maintain that they will stand firm in their position and that Republicans must first agree to extend healthcare subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the calendar year.
Our partners at the National Low Income Housing Coalition continue to monitor the shutdown’s impacts. HUD benefits will continue to be paid through at least November, but they note that the longer the shutdown continues, the greater the risk to HUD assisted households, and the greater the disruption to essential federal services and programs.
Politico also reported last night that more than 20 Republicans in Congress have drafted a letter asking HUD Secretary Scott Turner to grant a 1-year extension to all HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) grants expiring in 2026. Prior to the Federal shutdown, information from HUD suggested that they were planning to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that would drastically reduce Permanent Housing funding and move the funding to Transitional Housing with work requirements – a decision that HUD staff estimate could put more than 170,000 people at risk of homelessness.
Senate Holds Hearing on Future of Housing
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs’ Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development held a hearing, “Innovation in U.S. Housing: Solutions and Policies for America’s Future,” last week. Testimony from the Bipartisan Policy Center discussed reducing restrictive land use policies and advocated for the Senate to bring the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 to a full vote. Click here for a recap from our colleagues at the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC).
Action Alert: Share Stories and Tell Congress to Fund Housing Counseling by November 3
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.
State Updates
NCGA Passes New Congressional Maps, No Budget
The General Assembly was briefly back in session last week, where Republicans passed redrawn Congressional maps. The new maps will likely flip Democratic Rep. Don Davis’s seat in Eastern NC, giving Republicans 11 of the state’s 14 seats in the House of Representatives. Redistricting is exempt from the Governor’s veto powers in NC. North Carolina is one of two states that have not yet passed a budget, and we have not seen any indication of a breakthrough on that front.
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 this 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.
Local Headlines
Affordable housing fund seeks lenders | hpenews.com
Charlotte leaders press for answers on Atrium Health’s housing commitments | North Carolina Health News
Mobile home park residents facing displacement say $5,500 relocation offer isn’t enough | WFAE
Enterprise and City of Charlotte Select 12 Organizations for New Faith-Based Development Initiative | Enterprise Community Partners
Development surge outpaces affordable housing in Alamance | wfmynews2.com
‘Under-the-radar’ $57 million project to bring Durham 160 affordable apartments | CBS 17
In Durham, tenants get new tool to fight landlords who won’t fix dangerous rentals | NC Newsline
Kinston program offers forgivable home repair loans for qualified homeowners | WITN
Webinars
Selecting the Next Round of Opportunity Zones: New Evidence and Field Reflections | Urban Institute, October 29, 1-2:30 p.m. Register here.
- Opportunity Zones, the nation’s largest economic development program, have been extended and revised. Importantly, in 2026, governors will nominate the next round of Opportunity Zones, with implications for where private capital flows for years to come. This webinar will share new evidence on Opportunity Zone investment trends and field experience with the incentive to inform how states should decide which places to nominate and how city and county officials and other local stakeholders can help states make strong decision
Corporate Ownership of Housing: Policy Innovation and Organizing | Urban Institute October 30, 1-2 p.m. Register here.
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.
Events
Sawmill Village Groundbreaking Ceremony | Hosted by the Northwestern Regional Housing Authority, October 30 at 10:30 a.m. in Burnsville. Learn more here.
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 (through October 31 is $265. 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.
Reports
Study Reveals $169 Billion Investment Needed to Preserve Public Housing – INTERIM REPORT
Children’s HealthWatch Releases Article on the Intersection of Household Hardship and Health
