2025 Fourth Annual Inclusive Housing Summit: Advocating for Change

We will highlight the challenges to expanding inclusive housing options for adults with I/DD in North Carolina in the context of changes in state and federal housing policies, and how these changes affect our efforts to address this critical issue.

Participants will learn tools and strategies that can be deployed across disciplines in the effort to affect change. Our keynote speaker, Liz Weintraub, will highlight her advocacy work on the federal level related to disability rights. Breakout sessions and panels will feature government representatives and community organizations as we all work together to understand how best to make change in housing policy so that everyone has the chance to live in the home of their choice.

We will feature a summit panel with senior representatives from Alliance, Vaya, Trillium and Partners as they highlight their work to expand community housing for adults with I/DD.

Our Exhibit Hall will feature community organizations working to improve the lives of adults with I/DD.

Summit Agenda:

8:00 am Registration Opens

8-9 Coffee/Networking–Visit Exhibit Hall

9-9:05 Welcome & Opening Remarks

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

9:40--10:55 Keynote –Liz Weintraub

11:05 -12:20 Morning Breakout sessions

Session A: What do recent Medicaid and HUD cuts mean to I/DD supports and housing?

Session B: NC Inclusive Housing Coalition: How groups are working across NC on I/DD inclusive housing

Session C: How state organizations (NCHFA and DHHS) are addressing inclusive housing

Session D: Thinking outside the box—Strategic Partnerships for Inclusive Housing

12:20-1:20 Lunch/Networking–Visit Exhibit Hall–tables for networking Parents & Self-Advocates

1:20-2:00 How LME/MCO’s Across the State are Advancing Inclusive Housing

2:00-2:15 Break

2:15-3:30 Afternoon Breakout sessions (repeat ones listed above)

3:35--4:00 How to Get Your Voice Heard–pros and cons of different ways to advocate