iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

This morning the NC Housing Coalition got to witness Governor @joshstein announce and sign Executive Order 36 - Improving Housing Opportunities for All North Carolinians. governor.nc.gov/executive-or... #ncpol #ncga #nc

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Enjoying the first panel of the day at the NC Leadership Conference - The New North Carolina: Migration, Housing, and the Politics of Belonging #nc #ncpol

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Back at it again - #ncga short session kicks off today ! #ncpol

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Shoutout to WPTF Raleigh for letting me talk about the need for affordable housing in North Carolina this morning, looking forward to future conversations #ncpol #nc

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Whew the first month, I mean full week of January 2026 is almost over 😅

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

The amount of stop and start moments and deep breaths it has taken to get through writing a 2025 housing policy summary has been quite telling 😂

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Now information is being shared about the existing property tax relief programs at the state level #nc #ncpol #ncga

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Now Nick Giddings from the Legislative Analysis Division is presenting on legal property tax authority as well as the context in NC #ncpol #ncga

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

"In 2024 - the average home prices was 5X the median income in North Carolina" #ncpol #ncga

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

First presentation from fiscal research shows kicks off the committee meeting by sharing what contributes to high housing costs in North Carolina #nc #ncga #ncpol

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Currently listening to the beginning of the House Select Committee on Property Tax Reform (See their charge here - webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewDocSiteF..., and agenda here : webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewDocSiteF..., this is their first meeting which is expected to last about "3 hours" #nc #ncpol #ncga

webservices.ncleg.gov

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Interesting morning at the #NCGA where two house committees are meeting currently, one on public safety and involuntary commitment and another on property tax reform. #nc #nchousing

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Day 1 of the @nlihc.org State and Tribal Partners convening, thankful to be here representing @nchousing.org. Looking forward to some inspiration, sharing what we’ve been doing & also highlighting how we’ve been reacting to the current conditions in our state in Charlotte and the triangle area 💜 #nc

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

@nchousing.org Executive Director @samuelgunter.bsky.social just announced a amazing partnership with the American Red Cross that will deploy more than $1 Million in housing counseling and assistance programming for foreclosure preventive and more. #nc #nchousing

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Day 2 of the 2025 NC Affordable Housing Conference. Day 1 of the fed gov shutdown. What a time to be convening approximately 1500 practitioners throughout our housing ecosystem, so thankful to work with such brilliant people & even prouder to be at the NC Housing Coalition @nchousing.org #nc

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Really appreciate the practical and incredibly tímely keynote by @jennyschuetz.bsky.social today, thank you so much for bringing your expertise to the 2025 NC Affordable Housing Conference. #nc #nchousing

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

This is not an overnight fix… legalizing ADUs wont give us 10k units overnight, it also won’t bring the rent down for low-income households for several years, so we must continue to subsidize housing & provide affordable options as the impacts of these reforms take root” @jennyschuetz.bsky.social

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

“In general we need to he honest about how long it may take to see the impacts of housing policy reforms” @jennyschuetz.bsky.social

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

“There is not one template that works for all states” @jennyschuetz.bsky.social

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

“We need to create systems for people unable to live in our communities now to have a voice as we try and allow for developments that make space for them” @jennyschuetz.bsky.social

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

“Effective housing capacity depends on what is currently built on, what zoning allows for, and what markets want to build “ @jennyschuetz.bsky.social

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Kicking off the conference is our keynote @jennyschuetz.bsky.social discussing what policy reforms are needed to increase housing supply #nchousing

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Resuming posting on BlueSky after a long break to fill folks in on the great conversations and highlights from the 2025 NC Affordable Housing Conference #nc #nchousing2025

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Two flights, and a 2.5 hour van ride later, and this vacation officially begins. So tired, but so ready for this post travel day nap. 🎉

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

The lack of investment in housing and affordable housing development in both the Senate and House versions of the proposed FY 25-27 budget is extremely concerning. If there were ever a time to match dollars with stated concerns about our workforce, cost of living, and need, this is it. #ncpol #ncga

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

This week's highlights: 🔵Following the House budget at the NC General Assembly particularly concerned about funding for the Workforce Housing Loan Program (WHLP). 🔵Following the Federal Reconciliation process ☀️My first vacation in a while!

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

“We have to remember that the ways communities are built, roads laid out, is not an accident… thinking this is the way to be… remember this is NOT the way it has to be” Samuel Gunter, @samuelgunter.bsky.social @nchousing.org

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

“As we try & figure out how to make sure to make this work continue… we will have to continuously be rethinking how this work happens… on the other end of this we all will still try & figure out how to solve these issues for our communities” -Samuel Gunter @samuelgunter.bsky.social @nchousing.org

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

“Housing first doesn’t mean housing ONLY, it means housing is the first step, the first piece.” Dr.Latonya Agard, ED with NCCEH #ncpol

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Kicking off Day 2 of Bringing it Home: Ending Homelessness in NC with a joint conversation with our Executive Director Samuel Gunter with NC Housing Coalition and Dr. Latonya Agard, Executive Director with the NC Coalition to End Homelessness #ncpol #nc @nchousing.org @samuelgunter.bsky.social

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

"As we know, if you jail, fine, or arrest somebody it does not address or solve homelessness." -Donald Whitehead, Jr., Executive Director for the National Coalition for the Homeless #ncpol #ncga #bringingithome2025

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

"We need a country that values housing" -Donald Whitehead, Jr. Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homelessness #ncpol #nc #bringingithome2025

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

“Housing is foundational to recovery in Western North Carolina” -Gov. Josh Stein @ncgovernor.bsky.social #ncpol #ncga #bringingithome2025

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

“As we focus on this work statewide we have to consider the immense need in Western North Carolina, where in an area already with high housing need - over 73,000 homes were destroyed”-Gov. Josh Stein @ncgovernor.bsky.social #ncpol #ncga #bringingithome2025

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

“When we’re tackling an issue like homelessness.. we need everyone at the table, and every tool in the toolbox” -Gov. Josh Stein @ncgovernor.bsky.social #ncga #bringingithome2025 #ncpol

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

"While there are efforts to cut red tape to build more housing... there is also efforts in the NCGA to make sleeping outside a crime.No one should have to sleep outside. It's a real problem..we need real solutions..." - Governor Josh Stein @ncgovernor.bsky.social #ncpol #bringingithome2025

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

"Home is more than just a roof over our head... we must create more homeownership opportunities, access to affordable housing, and more for our communities" - Governor Josh Sein @ncgovernor.bsky.social #ncpol #ncga #BringingitHome2025

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

"This conference comes at a critical time because Homelessness is on the rise in North Carolina" - Governor Josh Stein #ncpol #ncga #bringingithome2025 @ncgovernor.bsky.social

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Thankful to Governor Josh Stein @ncgovernor.bsky.social for taking the time to speak this morning at Bringing it Home 2025: Ending Homelessness in NC #ncpol #ncga

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Kicking off Day 1 of the Bringing it Home 2025: Ending Homelessness in North Carolina conference with strong, true words from Dr. Dev Sangvai - Secretary, NC Department of Health and Human Services "Housing is Healthcare". #bringingithome #nc #ncpol

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

On the docket this week: ✴️NC House resumes the appropriations process ✴️Bringing it Home 2025 Conference in Raleigh 📝Pouring through the bills that made crossover that we will continue tracking 📝Meeting and educating electeds on real solutions to homelessness and our housing crisis #ncpol #ncga #nc

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Despite these logical arguments against this dangerous legislation - HB781 passes it’s third reading and is sent to the Senate #ncpol #ncga

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Arguments against this dangerous bill have ranged from “this is an unfunded mandate” to “despite the intent this bill does criminalize homelessness” #ncpol #ncga

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Arguments in favor of this dangerous bill have ranged from “folks want guidance on how to handle the homeless” and “the Supreme Court stated people don’t have the right to sleep on public property” #ncpol #ncga

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

H781 currently being debated on the floor #ncga #ncpol

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

HB781 Unauthorized Public Camping and Sleeping was the second bill discussed. Sponsor stated this serves as “guidance” for localities and not criminalization. No resources tied to the bill to address the root issue. Unfortunately, it has passed the rules committee. #ncpol #ncga

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Back at it today kicking off the day with a packed agenda in the House Rules Committee #ncga #ncpol

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Adding HB306, HB976, HB94 to this list as well. Major Updates: HB369 and HB765- Passed the Housing & Development Committee HB781 passed the State & Local Government Committee.

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Stephanie Watkins-Cruz @stephwcruz.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

HB 781 mirrors many bills we have seen across the country that are inspired by the Cicero Institute's efforts to criminalize homelessness. #ncpol #ncga

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