In 2002, the Coalition and the Center to Create Housing Opportunities developed the Campaign for Housing Carolina, a statewide public awareness campaign designed to bring attention to the necessary members of our communities who live in affordable housing. Based on a successful model from Minnesota, the campaign empowers local communities to work for change in their regions.

State Treasurer Richard Moore introduced the campaign in mid-2002, and a statewide steering committee and three regional advisory committees were convened almost immediately afterward. These groups, composed of advocates working for housing in diverse ways, help connect the campaign to local communities and grassroots efforts. Meanwhile, the Coalition successfully sought funding for the campaign from a number of sources, including the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the Warner Foundation, the NC Association of Realtors, CICNC, Regency Developers and others.

The Coalition hired The Creative Mark, a public relations firm, to develop a marketing plan and create a logo, brochure and presentation package for the campaign. Together with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, the campaign developed and printed 1,000 calendars highlighting recipients of affordable housing throughout North Carolina. The calendars were distributed to legislators, advocates, Coalition members and other organizational allies.

In March 2003, the campaign co-sponsored Building Political Capacity, an organizing workshop. Approximately 75 attendees gathered to learn how to bring people together to identify targets and work for change. Soon after, in March and April 2003, the campaign hosted two regional media workshops, training attendees on communication strategies with reporters from newspapers, radio and television, as well as how to write an op-ed and stage a press event, among other topics. More than 50 people attended the two events.

The Campaign for Housing Carolina is still building momentum. Over 170 organizations and individuals have signed on as partners, and Dean Smith and State Treasurer Richard Moore have agreed to serve as spokesmen. 

Since the fall of 2003, this initiative has been refocused into directly combating the "NIMBYism" that blocks many affordable housing efforts by creating a new NIMBY Guidebook and Media Toolkit to help local organizations get their projects through the approval process.  Instead of a general media effort, the Coalition seeks to work with local communities who are engaged in discussions or direct efforts around afford housing.  We will work to be a valuable resource for these communities both in terms of information and research and direct engagement.

To learn more about the campaign, click here.