By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — During a press conference in Raleigh, Governor Josh Stein took action aimed at increasing access to affordable housing.
According to the governor, Executive Order No. 36 aims to direct state leaders in the cabinet to work together to increase housing supply, lower housing-related costs and increase access to affordable houses in North Carolina.
“Too many families are struggling to make rent or afford a home,” said Governor Stein. “This executive order directs a whole-of-government approach to get more homes of all types built and make homeownership more accessible and affordable for North Carolinians.”
Governor Stein said the state is 750,000 homes short of what it needs to house current residents and those expected to move to NC over the next few decades. Planners estimate Wake County alone needs 100,000 units to meet demand.
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The governor said his executive order will remove red tape that can often slow down or increase the cost of construction. He plans to add a new senior advisor to oversee the changes. The executive order will also increase the workforce by strengthening the state’s apprentice and workforce programs.
State data shows that, at current home prices, carpenters can only afford 8 percent of entry-level houses in Raleigh. The governor said at the press conference that people who build our homes should be able to afford them.
“We’re gonna be focused on what we can control to drive down costs as much as we can,” said Stein. “The more qualified labor we have, the less you have to pay a premium to get people on the job. The more lands thats developable, then the lower the cost of each unit of piece of land — that lowers the price for the ultimate purchaser.”
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Click here to read in full Executive Order No. 36