Organizational Update
Last Week to Register for NC Affordable Housing Conference
Online registration ($350) for the 2025 NC Affordable Housing Conference closes September 22 at 5 pm. After that, the on-site registration fee will increase to $450. Register online here. We look forward to welcoming you September 30–October 1 at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Federal Updates
Continuing Resolution Vote Expected in the House of Representatives this Week
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a temporary funding agreement this week. If passed by the House and Senate, this Continuing Resolution will keep the government funded past the end of the Federal fiscal year on September 30 and avoid a partial shutdown. Check out advocacy resources from our partners at the national Low Income Housing Coalition here.
Join The Alliance’s Virtual Capitol Hill Day
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is holding a virtual Capitol Hill Day tomorrow, September 17. Sign up to speak directly with Members of Congress about the policies and funding decisions that impact homelessness in your community.
New HUD Application Incentivizes the Criminalization of Homelessness
On September 4, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) unexpectedly re-released the FY2025 Continuum of Care (CoC) Builds Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the third time. The NOFO provides funding for the construction, acquisition or rehabilitation of Permanent Supportive Housing. As our colleagues at the National Alliance to End Homelessness explain, this NOFO is problematic for a number of reasons.
Communities must attest that they prohibit public camping in order to qualify for funding. Further, funding parameters dictate that clients must participate in mandatory services to receive housing. Due to these several requirements many organizations across the country will be ineligible for consideration since they cannot answer yes to all questions.
HUD has also made it clear that despite past commitments they are intending to run a new competition for FY2025 CoC Program funds which will lengthen the delays communities are already experiencing in getting their much needed funding. Retracting their prior commitment in the middle of an established funding cycle would not only put a severe burden on CoCs, but it endangers critical programs serving people experiencing homelessness in our communities.
CALL TO ACTION from the National Alliance to End Homelessness
Tell your Member of Congress TODAY: Without Congressional intervention, your community’s access to HUD dollars is at risk. We must ensure that HUD provides funding for communities in a fair and transparent way without unnecessary delays and dangerous conditions.
Tell Congress that HUD must keep its promises: Fill out this form here. Or contact HUD leadership directly using the contact information in this NAEH letter regarding the FY25 funding cycle.
National Alliance to End Homelessness Sues Department of Housing and Urban Development
On Thursday, September 11, the National Alliance to End Homelessness filed a lawsuit and motion for a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and HUD Secretary Scott Turner. The lawsuit challenges the new funding restrictions that condition access to the federal Continuum of Care Builds grants opportunity upon compliance with the administration’s agenda.
State Updates
NCGA Calls for Criminal Justice Reform, Eyes Medicaid
Recent events in Charlotte, and across the U.S have led to the NCGA republican party calling on key policy changes in the realm of criminal justice. Additionally, Medicaid has been a topic of interest and might be one of the areas discussed when the General Assembly reconvenes next week. It is unclear what this means for additional mini-budgets and key housing appropriations.
NC Housing Coalition Executive Director Samuel Gunter Re-Appointed to Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Governor Stein Signed Executive Order No.25 which reestablishes the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs (ICCHP). Our executive director Samuel Gunter was reappointed to serve on ICCHP after his first appointment in 2017. The ICCHP promotes interagency coordination and partnerships on issues related to housing stabilization, services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and strategies to end homelessness in North Carolina. The council brings together state officials, housing and community development leaders, advocates and other stakeholders and is led by the NC Department of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS) and the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA). To view the press release click here.
Meetings we are watching – September 24, 2025 – Joint Governmental Operations Committee on Hurricane Recovery & Resilience – meeting at 9:00am.
Disaster Recovery
On September 15, 2025, the Governor’s Advisory Committee on WNC met in Flat Rock, NC. At the meeting, Governor Josh Stein announced that he is requesting nearly $13.5 billion in new funding from Congress for Hurricane Helene recovery. In addition, the Governor is still calling on federal agencies to allocate funding to North Carolina that was previously appropriated by Congress in the American Relief Act of 2025. The Governor’s full request, including the new $13.5 billion requested of Congress and outstanding allocations by federal agencies, totals $23 billion. He will travel to Washington, D.C. tomorrow to meet with Federal officials about the request. Funding for Helene has lagged dramatically compared to funding in recent years for similar sized disasters.
“In total, federal support to date amounts to approximately 9% of the total damage western North Carolina suffered. Meanwhile, storms that were similarly devastating – such as Hurricanes Katrina, Maria, and Sandy – saw 70% of the cost of recovery efforts covered by federal funding. Governor Stein’s $23 billion request would bring the federal support North Carolina received to 47%.” – Governor’s Office 9/15/23 Press Release
Local Headlines
Asheville City Council Approves $10 Million Allocation from Affordable Housing Bond to WNC Affordable Housing Loan Fund | City of Asheville
A redevelopment of public housing takes shape in Durham’s downtown | NC Newsline
Raleigh Housing Authority launches new department to support families in need | Spectrum Local News
Apex establishes town-sponsored Community Land Trust | Indy Week
Wilmington leaders ask county to restart homelessness, affordable housing commitments | WWAYTV3
City leaders and shelters react to the passing of the public camping ordinance | WECT
Reports and Resources
2024 American Community Survey Released
Last week, the US Census Bureau released the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates. ACS is a dataset that annually reports detailed socioeconomic characteristics such as income, poverty, housing cost, and more. The 1-year ACS estimates report estimates for areas with populations of 65,000 or more. We use 5-year ACS estimates for our County Profiles since some counties have populations of less than 65,000. The ACS 5-year dataset will be released in December.
NLIHC and Hispanic Federation Release Toolkit on Citizen Advisory Committees after Disasters
Webinar: Justice in Aging presents “Federal Housing Updates for Aging Advocates” | September 17, 2-3 p.m.
Events & Conferences
Fair Housing Training in Buncombe County
Buncombe County is hosting the Fair Housing Project of Legal Aid of North Carolina for a Fair Housing Training this Friday, September 19 from 9-11 a.m. First Floor, 200 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801. A parking voucher will be provided to attendees for the adjacent parking deck. RSVP to Nancy.Williams@buncombenc.gov
Topics will include:
- Basics of fair housing laws and housing rights for all protected classes
- Program and housing accommodations for people with disabilities
- How housing protections impact disaster recovery and CDBG-DR funded programs
- Common issues and tips for navigating CDBG-DR funded programs, including
- Best practices for homeownership documentation
Last Week to Register for NC Affordable Housing Conference
We look forward to seeing you on September 30–October 1 at the Raleigh Convention Center for the 2025 NC Affordable Housing Conference. Check out the agenda to see what we have in store for our attendees. Information about hotels, speakers, sponsors and more can all be found on our website. Online registration ($350) ends on September 22 at 5 p.m. After that, the on-site registration fee will increase to $450.
NCWAHN 3rd Annual Luncheon | Wednesday, October 1 at 1pm at The Stockroom at 203 in Raleigh. Cost: $25. Register here.
American Planning Association, North Carolina Chapter (APA-NC) Fall Conference | October 15-17 in Charlotte. Registration and hotels for the fall conference are open! Click here to learn more.
Affordable Housing Seminar: Tools, Strategies, and Case Studies for Local Government Leadership | UNC School of Government, October 16, 2025 in Chapel Hill. Course registration cost: $265
