Governor Stein Signs Executive Order for Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs

Today Governor Josh Stein signed Executive Order 25 relaunching the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs (ICCHP), a multi-agency effort to prevent and end homelessness in part by strengthening coordination among partners across government as well as private and non-profit sector service providers and advocates. The Council will be co-chaired by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Policy Director Karen Wade and North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Chief of Staff Jessica Whichard.

"All of us benefit when people have a safe place to call home," said Governor Josh Stein. "Right now, we do not have enough homes, and the homes we have cost too much. Cost is a major cause of homelessness and a major barrier when people are trying to return to housing. I am proud to relaunch this council to prevent homelessness and increase the development of affordable housing of all types so that every North Carolinian can thrive."

"North Carolinians experiencing homelessness face challenges when trying to access physical and mental health care and treatment for substance use disorder," said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Policy Director Karen Wade. "I am proud to co-chair this council and work with partners to ensure people receive the care they need in their journey to secure housing and live a healthy life."

"Estimates say that nearly 700 veterans in North Carolina are experiencing homelessness," said North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Chief of Staff Jessica Slider Whichard and co-chair. "I look forward to co-chairing this council, working to end veteran homelessness, and continuing North Carolina's status as a great state for veterans and service members."

It is estimated that in 2024, more than 11,500 North Carolinians experienced homelessness, including more than 3,200 families with children, more than 500 unaccompanied homeless youth, and nearly 700 veterans. These numbers represent a 19 percent increase from the previous year.

Prior to Hurricane Helene, approximately 6,600 people were experiencing homelessness in the 39 Helene disaster-declared counties. That number increased as a result of Hurricane Helene. The ICCHP will include a dedicated focus on Helene recovery to help more people find safe, affordable housing.

The North Carolina Interagency Council for Homelessness Programs was first created under the Cooper administration. The Council advises the Governor, state agencies, and external partners on issues related to housing stabilization, services for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, and strategies to reduce and end homelessness. The Council also supports the NCDHHS Strategic Housing Plan to bring together state agencies and key partners, the NCDMVA's Strategic Plan to support veterans and their families, and the NC Reentry 2030 Strategic Plan's goal to expand housing opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Governor Stein is dedicated to building more homes of all types and ensuring that housing is available and affordable for all North Carolinians. In his 2025-2027 state budget proposal, Governor Stein proposed $35 million a year for the Housing Trust Fund to create more housing for low-income families, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. He also called for investments in the Workforce Loan Program to aid in the construction and repair of affordable housing.

Click here to read Executive Order No. 25: Amending and Extending the North Carolina Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs

Click here to read more on the Council.

Members of the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs:

• Karen Wade (Co-chair), Policy Director, NC Department of Health and Human Services
• Jessica Whichard (Co-chair), Chief-of-Staff, NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
• Dr. Latonya Agard, Executive Director, NC Coalition to End Homelessness
• Brett Altman, Assistant State Budget Officer, NC Office of State Budget and Management
• Emily Ball, Manager, Homeless Strategy Division, Community and Economic Development, City of Asheville
• Marsha Basloe, CEO, MRC Connects
• Representative Cecil Brockman, NC House of Representatives
• Darla Cole, Investigator, NC Division of Private Protective Services, NC Department of Public Safety
• Representative Allison Dahle, NC House of Representatives
• Scott Farmer, Executive Director, NC Housing Finance Agency
• Debra Farrington, Deputy Secretary for Health, NC Department of Health and Human Services
• Samuel Gunter, Executive Director, NC Housing Coalition
• Hsun-Ta Hsu, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, School of Social Work, School of Data Science in Society
• Ashley Jarrett, Assistant Health Director, Burke County Public Health
• Desiree Kennedy, Program Officer, Governor's Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC)
• Jaclyn Kiger, Executive Director, Pisgah Legal Services
• Katrina Knight, Executive Director, Good Shepherd Center
• Senator Paul A. Lowe, Jr., NC Senate
• Steve Maynor, Housing Director, NC Commission of Indian Affairs
• Stephanie McGarrah, Deputy Secretary for Community Revitalization, NC Department of Commerce
• Karon McKinney, Senior Director, United Way of Forsyth County
• Deronda Metz, Executive Director, Friendship Community Development Corporation
• Fred Mills Sr., Mills Construction Co.
• Amy Modlin, Head of Housing, Trillium Health Resources
• Elizabeth Moncrief, Assistant Director of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments Regional Housing Authority
• Senator Natalie Murdock, NC Senate
• George Pettigrew, Deputy Secretary, NC Department of Adult Corrections
• Maria Ramirez Perez, Associate Director of Healthy Opportunities for NC Medicaid, NC Department of Health and Human Services
• Lisa Phillips, State Coordinator, NC Homeless Education Program, NC Department of Public Instruction
• Jeffrey Rawlings, Coordinated Entry Administrator/Senior Analyst, HOPE Team (Housing Opportunities and Pathways Engagement), Durham Community Safety Department, City of Durham
• Director Will Ray, Director of NC Emergency Management
• Dr. Torry L. Reynolds, Associate Vice President of Student Services, North Carolina Community College System
• Joell Steininger, Homeless Program Section Chief, Asheville VA Medical Center
• Donya Strong, General Counsel, NC Department of Administration
• Pamela Suggs Story, Social Work Coordinator/Homeless Liaison, Cumberland County Schools
• Emila Sutton, Director of Housing and Neighborhoods Department, City of Raleigh
• Josh Walker, Manager of NC DHHS Strategic Housing Plan, NC Department of Health and Human Services
• Carla West, Division Director for Human Services, NC Department of Health and Human Services