Housing Call: September 29, 2026

Federal Updates

Action Alert: Housing Counseling Funds Part of Federal Clawback On Friday, September 25, President Trump announced a pocket rescission of nearly $1 billion in congressionally appropriated funds, including $56 Million in HUD housing counseling grants nationwide. As a result, North Carolina will lose more than $1 million in housing counseling funds distributed throughout the state. The delay of this funding has already resulted in the loss of housing counseling services, and canceling the funds altogether will mean that North Carolina families will lose access to a vital financial education resource at a time when housing costs are at all-time highs.

Call Senator Tillis, Senator Budd, and your Congressperson today to let them know how the loss of this funding will impact your community, especially if you are a housing counselor. Let them know the positive impact of housing counseling in your community to combat the Trump administration’s claim that delinquency and default counseling are ineffective.

Rep. Adams Introduces Bill to Support Faith-Based Organizations’ Development of Affordable Housing

‘Buy American’ rules are slowing affordable housing construction | NPR

Census changes proposed by Trump administration put accuracy, money for NC at risk, critics say | NC Newsline

State Updates

NCGA is back in session this week. No votes expected

Disaster Recovery Housing Updates

Two-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Helene Sunday, September 27 marked the 2-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene in WNC.

County challenges ‘extreme disparities’ of Helene-recovery affordable housing funds | Asheville Watchdog

Mountain strong: North Carolina marks the 2-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene | NC Newsline

Governor Stein Welcomes Leicester Resident Back Home After Helene | NC Commerce

Governor Stein, GROW NC Unveil Long-Term Plan to Rebuild and Grow Western North Carolina’s Economy | NC Governor’s Office

Local Headlines

City of Charlotte pauses $1M for CMS teacher housing project amid district contract controversy | WBTV

Authority moving forward with plan to sell, raze, replace Winston-Salem’s Crystal Towers | Winston-Salem Journal

Carrboro develops affordable housing plan, asks for community input | The Daily Tar Heel

Chapel Hill Town Council shoots down LUMO update that would double residential occupancy limits | The Daily Tar Heel

Reports and Resources

Congress Should Reject House Cuts That Would Leave Nearly Half a Million More People Without Stable Homes | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Events

[webinar] Renter Protections in Cities: Emerging Policies and Practices | Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 3 – 4:15 p.m. Learn more and register here.

NC Women’s Affordable Housing Network (NCWAHN)- Ignite Speaker Series | Wednesday, September 30, 8:30-11 a.m. at Arcane Books & Speakeasy in Cary. Register here ($5).

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.

[webinar] Learning How States are Designing Land Use Reforms to Expand Housing Supply | NYU Furman Center, Wednesday, October 14, 2:30 p.m. Learn more and register here.

NCWAHN 4th Annual Luncheon | Friday, October 23, 1 – 2:30 p.m. (immediately following the 2026 NC Affordable Housing Conference) at Junction West in Raleigh. Registration is $50.

HOPE NC’s 5th Annual Inclusive Housing Summit | Monday, November 9th, 2026, 8am – 4pm at The Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill. Register here – $50 for Individual community members, self-advocates or caregivers & $100 for professionals.

YIMBYTOWN | November 17-19, 2026 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Register here $445 for general admission, $245 for government/nonprofit, and $75 for students.