September 10, 2025

Executive Order No. 25

Amending and Extending the North Carolina Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs

 

Whereas, the 2024 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) estimated that more than 11,500 people experience homelessness in North Carolina, including 8,396 individuals, 3,230 people in families with children, 524 unaccompanied homeless youth, 688 veterans, and 3,093 chronically homeless individuals, and, among those, approximately 61 percent are sheltered and 40 percent are unsheltered; and

 

 

Whereas, the 2024 Point in Time Count (“PIT”) represents a 19 percent increase in homelessness in the state from the year prior;

 

 

Whereas, prior to Hurricane Helene, the January 2024 Point in Time Count showed approximately 6,600 people experiencing homelessness in the 39 Helene disaster-declared counties and the devastation of Helene on homes in western North Carolina has further displaced those already experiencing housing insecurity and displaced many families and children who previously had stable housing; and

 

 

Whereas, racial disparities in homelessness persist in North Carolina, as evidenced by the fact that Black people make up 22 percent of the North Carolina population, according to the 2024 US Census estimates, yet represent nearly 50 percent of people experiencing homelessness, according to the 2024 PIT Count; and

 

 

Whereas, individuals and families who have unstable housing and are cost burdened by housing are at risk for homelessness, and housing is increasingly unaffordable in North Carolina and nationwide; and

 

 

Whereas, making system changes to prevent and end homelessness requires a high degree of coordination and cooperation among federal, state, and local governments, as well as private and non-profit sector service providers and advocates, and a statewide coordinating council is an effective tool; and

 

 

Whereas, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order No. 222, 36 N.C. Reg. 149-151 (Aug. 2, 2021), Reestablishing the North Carolina Interagency Council for Homelessness Programs (the “Interagency Council”) on June 30, 2021; and

 

 

Whereas, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order No. 327, 39 N.C. Reg. 745-747 (Dec. 16, 2024), Amending and Extending the North Carolina Interagency Council for Homelessness Programs on November 26, 2024; and

 

 

Whereas, the Interagency Council has identified these priorities: (1) increasing access to rental and related housing financial assistance; (2) increasing development of and access to rental units for people experiencing homelessness and those at risk; and (3) increasing the availability and quality of housing-focused services, including housing stabilization case management and housing navigation and placement; and

 

 

Whereas, the Interagency Council supports the goals related to access to safe, accessible, affordable housing and reduction of homelessness goals in several critical state plans, including the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Strategic Housing Plan, the North Carolina Early Childhood Action Plan, North Carolina’s Reentry 2030 Strategic Plan, and the All Ages, All Stages: A Roadmap for Aging and Living Well Plan; and the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Strategic Plan; and

 

 

Whereas, the undersigned charged the Interagency Council with supporting the state’s goals to end homelessness, and it has been an important and effective tool in supporting that goal; and

 

 

Whereas, changes to the structure of the Interagency Council can help optimize its work; and

 

 

Whereas, pursuant to Article III, § 1 of the North Carolina Constitution and N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 143A-4 and 143B-4, the Governor is the chief executive officer of the state and is responsible for formulating and administering the policies of the executive branch of state government; and

 

 

Whereas, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 147-12, the Governor has the authority and the duty to supervise the official conduct of all executive and ministerial officers.

 

 

Now, therefore, by the power vested in me as the Governor by the laws and Constitution of the State of North Carolina, It is ordered:

 

Section 1. Membership.

 

 

The Interagency Council shall consist of members appointed by the Governor from the following state agencies and qualifying categories:

 

 

a.     The Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, or a designee;

b.     The Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Administration, or a designee;

c.     The Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (“NCDPS”), or a designee;

d.     The Director of North Carolina Emergency Management, or a designee;

e.     The Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, or a designee;

f.      The Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (“NCDHHS”), or a designee;

g.     The Deputy Secretary of Medicaid, NCDHHS, or a designee;

h.     The Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being, NCDHHS, or a designee;

i.      The Manager of the NCDHHS Strategic Housing Plan;

j.      The Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, or a designee;

k.     The State Budget Director of the Office of State Budget and Management (“OSBM”), or a designee;

l.      The Director of the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western NC (“GROW NC”), or a designee;

m.   The Executive Director of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, or a designee;

n.     One member from the North Carolina Community College System;

o.     One member from the University of North Carolina System;

p.     The Superintendent of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, or a designee;

q.     One member who represents homeless Continuums of Care;

r.      One member who represents a hospital or health system;

s.      Two members from local governments;

t.      Three members from non-profit agencies that provide services to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and that represent emergency shelters, rapid rehousing agencies, victim service providers, permanent supportive housing providers, and faith-based service providers;

u.     One member from the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness;

v.     One member from the North Carolina Housing Coalition;

w.    One member with expertise in services for young children under age six in families experiencing homelessness;

x.     One member with expertise in services for public school students in families experiencing homelessness;

y.     One member from the business community that develops affordable housing;

z.     Two members representing Public Housing Authorities;

aa.   One member representing someone with lived experience of homelessness;

bb.  Any other member or members demonstrating a commitment to reducing homelessness or assisting those at risk of homelessness in North Carolina, or who possess qualifications or background relevant to the work of the Interagency Council;

cc.   Two members from the North Carolina Senate;

dd.  Two members from the North Carolina House of Representatives.

 

 

Members of the Interagency Council shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. A vacancy occurring during a term of appointment will be filled by the Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.

 

The Governor shall appoint two Co-Chairpersons from among the state agency representatives that serve on the Interagency Council.

 

Section 2. Meetings.

 

The Interagency Council shall meet at least twice each year and at other times at the call of the Co-Chairs or Governor. The Chairs may establish sub-committees that meet as directed.

 

Section 3. Duties.

 

The duties of the Interagency Council may include the following:

 

 The Interagency Council will advise the Governor, his Cabinet, other state agencies, and partners on issues related to housing stabilization, services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and strategies to reduce and end homelessness.

 

The Interagency Council will recommend and promote effective interagency collaboration and system integration, which may include and coordination of state and federal funding. This includes supporting the NCDHHS Strategic Housing Plan’s goal for accountability and shared strategy for housing functions across state agencies and key partners and supporting the NC Reentry 2030 Strategic Plan’s goal to expand housing opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals.

 

The Interagency Council will promote evidence-based practices to address the needs of adults, children, and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

 

The Interagency Council will review existing programs and policies related to homelessness or those at risk of homelessness and recommend improvements to such programs and policies to ensure that such services are provided efficiently and effectively.

 

The Interagency Council will provide advice and guidance on any other matter as referred by the Governor.

 

Section 4. Administration.

 

The Interagency Council shall serve without compensation but may receive per diem allowance and reimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with state law and OSBM policies and regulations.

 

 

The Interagency Council shall be staffed by NCDHHS.

 

Section 5. Effect and Duration

 

 

This Executive Order is effective immediately. It supersedes and replaces Executive Order 327, Executive Order No. 258, and Executive Order No. 222. It shall remain in effect until September 10, 2027, or until rescinded or superseded by another applicable Executive Order.

 

 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in the City of Raleigh, this 10th of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-five.

 

Josh Stein

Governor

 

Attest:

 

Timothy L. Crowley

Chief of Staff, Secretary of State 

 

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