Governor Stein signs executive order aimed at expanding affordable housing in North Carolina

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at increasing housing opportunities and improving affordability across North Carolina as the state faces a growing housing shortage and rising costs.

Executive Order No. 36 directs state cabinet agencies to work together to increase housing supply, improve affordability and access, and use technology and data-driven strategies to support housing efforts.

“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.”

As part of the executive order, Stein announced the appointment of Janneke Ratcliffe as senior advisor for housing policy. Ratcliffe will help lead development of what the governor’s office says will be the state’s first coordinated housing strategy.

Ratcliffe previously served as vice president of the Housing and Communities Division at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. Her role will include working with local and tribal governments, state agencies and public and private partners to identify housing solutions and establish measurable goals.

The announcement comes as North Carolina continues facing housing affordability challenges. State officials say North Carolina is projected to face a shortage of more than 750,000 housing units by 2029, with low- and moderate-income households expected to be among the hardest hit.

According to information released by the governor’s office:

• About half of all renters in North Carolina spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
• Nearly 30% of older adults spend more than one-third of their income on housing costs.
• Teachers in 23 North Carolina counties did not earn enough on average in 2025 to afford fair market rent where they work.
• Fifty-three percent of enlisted military families in North Carolina report spending more than 30% of their monthly income on housing and utilities.
• North Carolina saw the ninth-highest rental price increases in the nation between 2024 and 2025.

The executive order establishes several priorities, including creating a statewide housing strategy, directing agencies to prioritize housing access and resilience in planning efforts, aligning state resources and programs, and improving data and technology tools to support local governments and builders.