2026 Fifth Annual Inclusive Housing Summit--From Policy to Place: Building Affordable, Accessible & Inclusive Communities

November 9, 2026 @ 8:00AM — 4:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar

The Friday Conference Center: 100 Friday Center Dr Chapel Hill, NC 27517 Get Directions

2026 Fifth Annual Inclusive Housing Summit--From Policy to Place: Building Affordable, Accessible & Inclusive Communities image

Don't miss this year's summit!

HOPE NC's annual Inclusive Housing Summit is an all day event bringing together state and local government representatives, elected officials, housing, disability and aging professionals and people with lived experience. Each year we explore the barriers to inclusive housing and models that create new opportunities for people with I/DD. This year we are diving deep into how NC policies shape the way I/DD housing is created.

We will explore the current housing policies at the state level and how they impact the creation of inclusive housing. As we move from policy to place,this year's format will be a little different--a morning panel with state level officials and a post-lunch panel with legislators from the the I/DD Caucus.

After the second panel, participants will have the opportunity to choose a breakout session that highlights several current housing communities (or "places") have created opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience belonging

Our Exhibit Hall will feature community organizations working to improve the lives of adults with I/DD. We listened to feedback and there will be more time this year to visit with each organization!

Summit Agenda:

8:00 am Registration Opens

8-9 Coffee/Networking–Visit Exhibit Hall

9-9:05 Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:05-9:35am HOPE NC: Building Inclusive Communities

9:35--10:55 Keynote Panel: How North Carolina can build affordable, inclusive communities in which people with IDD are part of the broader housing system

Janneke Ratcliffe, Senior Advisor for Housing Policy to Governor Josh Stein

Kelly Crosbie, Secretary of Department of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services at the NC Department of Health and Human Services

11:00 -12:00 Networking/Visit Exhibit Hall

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:00 General Assembly Legislative I/DD Caucus panel--What is the I/DD Caucus and how does it relate to inclusive housing?

2:00-3:30 Breakout Sessions (choose 1)

Session A: Patuxent Commons: From Vision to Community — Developing and Launching an Inclusive Housing Model in Maryland

Session B: What is the Community Facilitator role, and why is it needed? HOPE NC residents and Community Facilitators share their experiences

Session C: G House and L'Arche NC: How two NC organization are providing housing for people with higher needs while creating community ties

Session D: Self-direction: A powerful complement to community living

3:35--4:00 Closing session

For Breakout Session details go to https://www.hopenorthcarolina.org/summit.html and scroll down to Summit Agenda.