Housing for New HopeMarch 2025 Webinar – Weathering the Storm
March 12, 2025 – Weathering the Storm: Navigating Uncertainty in Housing Support
As homelessness continues to rise in Durham, Housing for New Hope (HNH) remains steadfast in its mission to connect vulnerable individuals and families to housing and hope. The community is facing an unprecedented crisis, with unsheltered homelessness increasing by 123% since 2020 and 300% since 2018. Families are also feeling the impact, with a 31% rise in family homelessness in the past year alone.
The root causes are clear—skyrocketing rental costs (up 72% since 2020) and a housing market that leaves many struggling to afford a safe place to live. Nearly half of Durham’s renters are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing, with a quarter spending over 50%.
A Funding Crisis Amid Growing Needs Against this backdrop, HNH is facing a significant funding challenge. In January, a federal funding freeze cast uncertainty over critical programs, jeopardizing resources that provide crucial funding for HNH’s campus-based and community-based supportive housing programs. Though the freeze was later lifted, HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC) grant awards, have yet to be fully contracted, leaving crucial housing programs in limbo.
Strategic Response and Contingency Planning HNH is preparing for multiple funding scenarios, ranging from the continuation of grants at increased amounts to a worst-case scenario where all funding is canceled or paused. The organization is working tirelessly to:
- Ensure continuity of services for its residents and participants.
- Minimize the impact on staff and maintain operational stability.
- Identify cost-saving measures and explore new partnerships.
How the Community Can Help As HNH navigates these uncertainties, community support is more vital than ever. Advocacy efforts are underway, urging policymakers—including Senators Budd and Tillis and Representative Foushee—to protect funding that serves Durham’s most vulnerable residents. Additionally, contributions to the Housing Access Fund will help ensure that those we serve receive the support they need.
Durham is at a crossroads. The coming months will determine whether hundreds of individuals and families will find stability in housing or be left struggling. By coming together as a community, we can ensure that HNH continues to be a beacon of hope for those in need.
For more information or to support HNH’s efforts, visit housingfornewhope.org or contact [email protected] | (919) 489-6282.
Together, we can weather the storm and build a stronger foundation for the future.
