Organizational Updates
New Report: Analysis of North Carolina’s Proposed “Property Tax Cap”
Last week, we published a new report investigating whether a property tax levy limit will relieve property tax burdens for homeowners. In November, North Carolina voters will decide whether to add an amendment to the state constitution requiring the NC General Assembly to impose a statewide property tax limit. Our analysis finds that a levy limit will devastate community budgets for essential services and save the average homeowner only $7 a month while large corporate landowners save millions. Check out our full analysis and interactive data on our website.
Nominations for the 2026 NC Housing Coalition Awards are now open!
Each year at the NC Affordable Housing Conference breakfast, we recognize organizations and individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to advocate for affordable housing. If you or someone you know has excelled in housing advocacy over the last year, submit a nomination by September 18.
Federal Updates
Congress Reconvenes, Expected to Pass Continuing Resolution
The House returned from August recess yesterday. Legislators are expected to vote today on a Senate-approved stopgap spending bill (Continuing Resolution) that would keep the government funded past the end of the fiscal year on September 30 and into mid December. Both parties are motivated to reach an agreement and avoid a shutdown before legislators leave town in early October to focus on midterm campaigning.
Continuing Resolution Includes Housing and Homelessness Funds
The National Association of Counties reports that the Senate-approved CR authorizes HUD to use unobligated funds to prevent shortfalls in core Housing Choice Voucher renewals and extends the availability of homelessness assistance grant funding (e.g. CoC and ESG) through FY27. It also authorizes HUD to use tenant protection vouchers to support households with expiring Emergency Housing vouchers and authorizes nearly $6.3 million in competitive funding through FY 29, to forgive or restructure flexible subsidy (Flex Sub) loans for small, non-profit owned affordable housing properties.
HUD Updates Public Housing Demolition and Disposition Program
Last week, HUD announced updates to the public housing demolition and disposition program that make it easier for public housing authorities to redevelop, modernize, demolish, or sell distressed public housing and reposition their portfolios to Section 8 units. Public housing communities across the country have suffered from years of federal capital needs disinvestment. A report released last year by the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC) estimated the baseline cost for preserving all public housing at over $169 billion.
HUD Releases Methodology for FY27 Fair Market Rents
In today’s Federal Register, HUD published the annually released document detailing the methodology for calculating FY27 Fair Market Rents, which will be released next month.
HUD Funding Notice Upends Housing Counseling Assistance | Shelterforce
State Updates
Legislative Updates
The NCGA is back in Raleigh this week. No votes are expected.
Disaster Recovery Housing Updates
Gov. Stein Announces New Disaster Recovery Funding, Relief Program
Last week Gov. Stein, Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization, and the NC Housing Finance Agency announced $69M in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds awarded to 10 projects that will develop more than 800 new rental units in WNC.
Gov. Stein also announced the launch of Renew NC’s sixth and final disaster recovery program, Workforce Housing for Ownership. This $53M multi-family housing program is designed to expand accessibility to safe and affordable housing in HUD-Identified Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) counties in western North Carolina.
Having additional housing options for the local workforce enables and incentivizes a broader segment of households to remain in western North Carolina as recovery from Hurricane Helene continues.
RenewNC to Host Technical Assistance Workshops
RenewNC will host in-person Multi-Family and Workforce Housing for Ownership program workshops at the five Council of Governments locations in western NC. These workshops are highly recommended for potential applicants and will provide an opportunity to ask specific questions and receive additional guidance following the virtual information session.
- High Country COG, September 8 at 1 pm
- Southwest Commission, September 9 at 10 am
- Land of Sky, September 9 at 3pm
- Foothills Commission, September 10 at 10 am
- Western Piedmont, September 10 at 3 pm
Local Headlines
Asheville Council loosens zoning rules for smaller homes | Blue Ridge Public Radio
Can Private Sector Fund Preserve Affordable Housing in Charlotte? | Shelterforce
For Chatham Estates Residents Forced to Leave, the Experience of Relocating Has Been Mixed | INDY Week
As Raleigh’s housing gap grows, advocates focus on affordability | ABC11
Local nonprofit center’s Housing Navigation has 95% success in first year | Port City Daily
Reports & Resources
Cape Fear Habitat’s Podcast on Affordable Housing –Listeners can access via the link provided and on Apple Podcast.
The Promise of Place: Surplus Church Property as a Vehicle for Affordable Housing | Catholic Charities USA
How the World’s Views on Housing Have Changed | Gallup
Unmet Repairs Leave Millions Exposed to Extreme Indoor Heat | Joint Center for Housing Studies
Events
How to Speak at City Council Training | Thursday, September 10, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, McPherson Residence Inn Marriott, 1108 W Main St, Durham
Join CITYBUILDER and Yes! In My Triangle for this free training to learn how to speak at City Council and public meetings. Participants will be joined by local leaders and advocates, as well as the Duke University Improv team. This training is free and open to the public, but registration is limited. Please register at the link.
UNC School of Government – Upcoming Community Development Courses
- Affordable Housing Seminar: Tools, Strategies, and Case Studies for Local Government Leadership, October 9, 2026 in Chapel Hill. Open to professionals and elected officials, Course cost: $245
- Legislative Update: Planning and Development Regulation October 28, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Zoom. $150 Registration Fee (registration coming soon)
This Legislative Update will explore the details of the new laws and the practical implications for local government officials. School of Government faculty members Jim Joyce, Adam Lovelady, and Taylor Morris will guide participants through the long list of changes.
Topics include:- End of Parking Minimum Standards
- Changes to Home Occupation and Residential Accessory Use Rules
- Newly-Created Buildings Codes & Interpretations Bureau
- Mandatory Allowance for Accessory Dwelling Units in Many Cities
- And more
