NC Housing Coalition spreads the word to reinvigorate public awareness efforts about the Coalition and affordable housing.  The Coalition raises public awareness about the critical need for and benefits of affordable housing. It takes its message to the media, civic and religious organizations, corporations, and neighborhood groups across North Carolina.

The Coalition is always active in working with the media to bring attention to affordable housing issues. Numerous housing articles mentioning the Coalition have appeared on issues such as manufactured housing, HOPE VI, and housing affordability in the Triangle and other regions of the state.


The Coalition also sponsors an Annual Conference which has featured workshops on such issues as:

• How to submit a tax credit application

• Affordable Special Needs Housing

• Pay Day Lending

• Converting Tenant-Based Section 8 to Project-Based

• Federal Contract Restrictions

• New Markets Tax Credits

• Building Better Designed Affordable Homes

• Understanding Renters' Rights

• Lobbying Rules for Nonprofits

• Personal Financial Management for Nonprofit Administrators

• Impacts of Increasing Latino Presence in Housing and Community Development.

Since arriving as executive director in September 2003, Chris Estes has been a sought-after speaker on affordable housing issues this year. He is also active on many boards and committees, most notably the Governor's Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Council of Churches Economic Justice Committee, the Economic Security Committee of the Covenant for NC's Children, and the Dept. of Health and Human Services' Mental Health Housing Task Force. The Coalition is also a member of the United Way NC’s policy committee and the NC Housing Policy Committee coordinated by the NC Housing Finance Agency.

Coalition staff have spoken to Habitat for Humanity directors from across the state, advising them on North Carolina’s housing situation and how Habitat can fit in, as well as to the Governor’s Commission on Aging on manufactured housing issues in North Carolina.

As part of the plan to raise the awareness of housing as a vital issue in North Carolina, Coalition staff members have met with individuals and groups across the state such as influential and sympathetic legislators, policy advisors of the Governor, and diverse groups like the NC Bankers’ Association, the NC Homebuilders Association, and the NC Association County Commissioners. Relationships are continually cultivated with these and other interested parties.

The Coalition has forged strong links with many statewide organizations such as the United Way of North Carolina, NC Justice and Community Development Center, Legal Aid of NC, The NC Rural Center, NC Field Office of the US Department of HUD, Councils of Government around the state, NC Association of Community Development Corporations, Community Reinvestment Association of NC, NC Fair Housing Center, IDA Collaborative, Fannie Mae NC Partnership Office, NC Manufactured Housing Institute, Covenant with North Carolina’s Children and Smart Growth Alliance.

The Coalition continues to be active nationally, receiving alerts and notes from the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the National Association of HUD Tenants, helping to coordinate North Carolina events.