North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Governor Josh Stein on Tuesday signed Executive Order No. 36, launching a statewide initiative to expand housing supply, improve affordability, and improve access to housing opportunities across North Carolina.
The order directs cabinet agencies to coordinate more closely across government to accelerate housing production, improve affordability, and integrate data-driven and technology-based solutions into housing policy and planning. State leaders say the initiative is designed to address persistent shortages and rising costs that have placed significant financial pressure on families, seniors, and essential workers.
“Too many families are struggling to make rent or afford a home,” Stein said. “This executive order directs a whole-of-government approach to get more homes of all types built and make homeownership more accessible and affordable for North Carolinians.”
The Governor was joined at the signing by local and state leaders, including Schumata Brown, Ryan Shaver, cabinet secretaries, legislators, and other community and industry partners.
A key component of the order is the creation of a new senior leadership role focused exclusively on housing strategy. Janneke Ratcliffe will serve as Senior Advisor for Housing Policy in the Governor’s Office, where she will coordinate across state agencies and work with local and tribal governments as well as private, nonprofit, philanthropic, academic, and faith-based partners.
Ratcliffe will lead efforts to develop North Carolina’s first comprehensive statewide housing strategy, establish measurable goals, and improve communication around housing policy and implementation.
“Across the nation, housing is the biggest expense that families face, and it’s only getting less and less affordable. North Carolina is no different,” Ratcliffe said. “I’m eager to work with cabinet agencies and partners across the state to create the first statewide housing strategy and deliver solutions that bring costs down and expand opportunity for North Carolinians.”
Executive Order No. 36 also directs agencies to prioritize housing access and resilience in their planning and policy decisions, align housing-related programs across government, and better leverage state data systems and technology platforms to support local governments and builders—particularly smaller communities working to expand housing options.
The announcement builds on the Governor’s broader housing agenda, including his recommended Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget, which proposes expanded investments in affordable housing production, preservation of existing rental units, and emergency home repair programs. The budget also supports the Housing Trust Fund and Workforce Housing Loan Program to finance thousands of new and rehabilitated units statewide, including in underserved markets.
State officials say the combined initiatives are intended to strengthen long-term affordability while also supporting economic development through construction and community investment.
Housing challenges in North Carolina remain significant. State data cited by the administration indicates a projected shortage of more than 750,000 housing units through 2029, with particularly acute impacts on low- and moderate-income households. Rising rents and home prices have led many households—roughly half of renters—to spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Older adults, teachers in multiple counties, and military families have also been identified as groups facing heightened affordability pressures.
The executive order outlines four primary action areas: coordinated statewide housing strategy leadership, agency prioritization of housing goals, alignment of housing-related programs and resources, and expanded use of data and technology to support local and regional housing efforts.
State officials say implementation will begin immediately as agencies begin aligning their plans under the new framework and preparing for cross-sector coordination under the Governor’s housing strategy initiative.