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Wake County housing staff outline 2026 Annual Action Plan and $5.6M in federal funding; nonprofits urge continued investment
Summary
Deputy Housing Director Alicia Arnold presented Wake County’s 2026 Annual Action Plan, describing roughly $5.6 million in HUD funding streams and programs to increase and preserve affordable housing; nonprofit partners urged continued county support and Bridge to Home funding.
Alicia Arnold, Wake County deputy housing director, presented the 2026 Annual Action Plan at the Jan. 20 public hearing, explaining how the county plans to use four federal grant streams — CDBG, HOME, HOPWA and ESG — alongside program income and county funds to support housing and homeless services.
"In total, the plan will cover about 5,600,000 in funding for the next fiscal year," Arnold said, noting HUD had not finalized allocations for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. She described program priorities including rehabilitation and resilient‑homes retrofits under CDBG, affordable development and homeownership partnerships under HOME, HOPWA rental assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS, and ESG support for emergency and shelter services.
During the public hearing, several nonprofit leaders described how federal and county investments are used on the ground. Everett McElveen, CEO of CASA, said federal gap financing is essential to delivering deeply affordable units, and Amy Smith, executive director of the Women’s Center of Wake County, credited Bridge to Home funding with housing 136 women last year.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about the timing of HUD reimbursements, the county’s broader housing budget, faith‑community partnerships and veteran‑specific programs. Arnold explained entitlement funds are reimbursement‑based and that the county typically receives grant agreements in spring; she said the department estimates about $25 million in similar federal funding over the five‑year consolidated plan window and that county taxpayer dollars and other grants expand the total housing investment.
After the Q&A period, a commissioner moved to accept the record of the public hearing and proceed; the motion was seconded and the board voted to carry it forward.
