Over the last several weeks, we have asked you to engage and advocate with us on several key issues, and you showed up! We’re sharing updates on some of the recent actions we’ve taken together and on how your input is shaping the NC Housing Coalition as we close out 2025 and look toward 2026.
WHLP Sign On Letter
North Carolina still doesn’t have a budget, and the Workforce Housing Loan Program (WHLP) is not included on current budget drafts. The NC Housing Coalition put together a sign on letter to state House and Senate leadership urging them to restore full funding for WHLP at $35 million for each year of the biennium so that housing for communities across North Carolina can support our workforce, families, seniors, and more. The le
In total, 45 organizations and 55 individuals signed onto the letter in support of WHLP! These signatures represent organizations across the state and a variety of different types of work in our housing ecosystem such as CAHEC, NC Realtors, Centrant Community Capital, Woda Cooper, DHIC, Inc., Center for Community Self-Help, Mountain Housing Opportunities, Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina, NC Council of Churches, Community Housing Coalition of Madison County, Land of Sky Regional Council, Taft-Mills Group, Pease Law, and many more. As we coordinate some final signatures we continue to monitor the NCGA’s schedule for a strategic opportunity to circulate the letter to key leadership. We’ll share another update once the letter has been circulated to our state representatives. We are so grateful to all those who have committed and signed the letter so far, let us continue communicating with our elected officials about the importance of restoring this resource for North Carolinians.
Housing Counseling Stories
Last month, a Federal judge blocked the Trump administration from carrying out a Reduction in Force (RIF) that would have fired around 400 staff from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), including the entire Office of Housing Counseling. The NC Housing Coalition sent a letter to Congress to stress the importance of appropriated funds flowing to housing counseling agencies in NC and beyond.
We also asked our housing counseling network to share stories about the positive impact of housing counseling in North Carolina. Thank you to those who shared, including Debbie Hardy from Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA) who shared the following:
“Housing Counseling has been a lighthouse to the community by helping families keep their homes from foreclosure. Through talking to the different mortgage companies on behalf of the clients, we have been successful in helping them get Loan Modification, or other mortgage assistance due to financial or medical hardships. Housing counseling has benefited many within our community with financial literacy and budgeting to help prepare for affordable housing. Homeownership classes are offered with no cost to help educate future homeowners of the process of homeownership. As a Certified Housing Counselor, I have seen men and women come into our agency in tears fearing the loss of their homes…I had one client say “I was his only hope” which I humbly stated, “As a Housing Counselor we do our best to make a difference.”
We will use the story Debbie and others shared as we continue to advocate with our Federal delegation for housing counseling funding in 2026 and beyond. If you are a housing counselor or have benefited from housing counseling, you can share your story here.
2025 Network Survey
In order to better support your work over the next year, we shared a network survey in order to receive feedback on our resources and to gauge your needs and concerns as 2025 draws to a close. We received 63 responses from across our network with a variety of priorities and concerns heading into 2026. Here are some of the highlights from your responses:
Partners Across the Years
While many survey respondents were new to the Coalition (connected for 0-2 years), the majority have been engaged with the Coalition for 10 or more years. Our network includes organizations and advocates from across the housing ecosystem, including neighborhood coalitions, housing counseling agencies, local governments, housing service providers, and developers.
Why You Support NC Housing Coalition
The majority of respondents support us because of our mission and advocacy work to ensure that every North Carolinian has a home in which to live with dignity and opportunity. This year, our advocacy has included connecting more than a hundred statewide advocates to their NC legislators for our first annual Housing Day and securing the continued flow of vital Federal resources to our communities through litigation and continued pressure on our lawmakers.
Funding Uncertainty as a Top Concern
When asked about concerns for 2026, an overwhelming majority cited a lack of funding, from missing WHLP funds in the state budget to shifting Federal program dollars to uncertainty with philanthropic partners. Since January, we have closely monitored state and Federal funding changes and advocated for the preservation of these vital resources for our communities. We will continue to report weekly on Federal and state budget and funding changes, communicate the impacts of these changes on our housing ecosystem, and advocate for the continued flow of housing funds to our state.
Statewide Outreach and Engagement
Survey respondents requested more opportunities to engage with us and with each other across the state, and we agree! In addition to our upcoming Housing Day, Bringing It Home Conference, and NC Affordable Housing Conference, we are exploring new opportunities to meet you where you are and to bring folks together across the state.
Sources of Hope for 2026
While many respondents shared serious concerns going into 2026, you also shared sources of hope, including the growing network of land trusts across the state and grassroots advocacy movements like the Community Justice Collaborative. You also cited the increased public awareness of the housing affordability crisis and bipartisan support for the Low Income Tax Credit and other housing initiatives. We will continue to highlight our advocacy successes and uplift innovative strategies and local victories across the state as examples of how community-driven housing solutions can achieve great progress in their communities, even in the midst of a challenging political environment.
Upcoming Opportunities
Thank you again to all those who have shown up with us in 2025 to advocate for affordable housing and thriving communities. Don’t miss our End of Year Policy Update webinar on December 4 from 1:30-3:00pm, and save the date for our 2026 Housing Day on April 29.
