North Carolina Community Development Association upcoming events

UNC School of Government - Affordable Housing Seminar (October 09, 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Affordable Housing Seminar: Tools, Strategies, and Case Studies for Local Government Leadership

October 9 | Chapel Hill | 10:00am-5:00pm | Course cost: $245

This interactive in-person seminar is designed for those who are setting strategic direction around affordable housing. The seminar will focus on local government support and public-private partnerships for workforce residential housing.

What You'll Learn:

Strategic approaches to affordable housing
Affordable housing tools and financing mechanisms
How to assess local housing needs
Case studies and exercises
Immediate next steps

This course has been approved for 5.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) credits through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Click here to go to the course page and register.

UNC School of Government - Legislative Update (October 28, 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Legislative Update: Planning and Development Regulation

October 28 | Online | 9:00am-12:30pm | Course cost: $150

Things are changing for planning and development regulations in North Carolina! During the 2026 short session, the North Carolina General Assembly adopted an array of amendments altering local government authority for planning, zoning, building codes, and more.

This Legislative Update will explore the details of the new laws and the practical implications for local government officials. School of Government faculty members Jim Joyce, Adam Lovelady, and Taylor Morris will guide participants through the long list of changes.

What You'll Learn:

End of parking minimum standards
Notable alterations to vested rights and legal standing to appeal decisions
Substantial requirements for fee transparency
New requirements for ordinance interpretations
Changes to home occupation and residential accessory use rules
Newly-created buildings codes & interpretations bureau
Mandatory allowance for accessory dwelling units in many cities
And more!

Note: this Legislative Update is distinct from the general Local Government Legislative Update.

Click here to go to the course page and register.

UNC School of Government - Grants Made Manageable (October 28, 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Grants Made Manageable: An Introduction to Grant Writing and Post-Award Compliance

October 28-29 | Asheville | 9:00am-5:00pm | Course cost: $350

Grants Made Manageable is a two-day, workshop-style course designed for new grants professionals seeking a practical, hands-on introduction to grant writing and grant management. Using real-world examples and interactive exercises, the course follows the full grant lifecycle—from identifying funding opportunities to post-award management and closeout. While federal grants are used as the primary teaching framework, the concepts, tools, and compliance principles covered in the course are broadly applicable to state, local, and private grant programs as well.

What You'll Learn:

Strategic approaches to affordable housing
Identify and evaluate grant opportunities that align with organizational goals.
Interpret Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) and align projects with funder priorities.
Develop strong, competitive grant applications and avoid common proposal mistakes.
Apply key federal compliance requirements under the Uniform Guidance.
Build budgeting and financial management practices that support audit readiness.
Manage federal requirements related to property, equipment, and procurement.

Click here to go to the course page and register.

UNC School of Government - Development Finance Toolbox (December 08, 2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Development Finance Toolbox

December 8-10 | Online | 10:00am-3:30pm | Course Cost: $370

How do local governments use public-private partnerships for development? What finance tools are available to local governments to revitalize Main Street?

North Carolina communities can select from a wide array of financing tools in their efforts to attract and grow businesses, improve real estate, and build community assets. In order to select the right approach for your development project, it helps to understand the options.

Participants in this course will learn the basics of development finance tools used by North Carolina local governments to achieve their community and economic development goals.

What You'll Learn:

Federal tax credit financing
Public-private partnerships for redevelopment
Local government capital financing
Tax increment financing (TIF) and synthetic TIF
Business improvement districts
Attracting private investment to Main Street
Grant identification and management
Fundamentals of developer real estate financing

Click here to go to the course page and register.

UNC School of Government - Community Development Academy (March 09, 2027)

Tue, 09 Mar 2027 14:00:00 GMT

Community Development Academy

March 9-11 and April 6-8, 2027 | 9:00am-5:00pm | Chapel Hill | Course Cost: $935

This intensive course targets community development practitioners and explores the concepts, methods, and strategies of community economic development. It offers practical skills and perspectives tailored to North Carolina.

What You'll Learn:

Community development finance
Affordable housing strategies and tools
Role of economic development
CDBG and related grant programs
Environmental finance
Visioning and citizen participation
Tools for group decision-making
Purchasing and contracting
Measuring success
Grants management

Click here to go to the course page and register.