Stephanie Watkins-Cruz
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stephwcruz.bsky.social
Stephanie Watkins-Cruz
@stephwcruz.bsky.social
Policy Director @nchousing.org;
Member of Mambo Dinámico Dance Co
🔗mambodinamico.com

NC Native
Afro-Latina
Proud Housing & local government nerd.
Lover of dance, good food, pugs, & travel.

She/Her
@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
October 1, 2025 at 1:26 PM
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
October 1, 2025 at 1:10 PM
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
September 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
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
September 30, 2025 at 2:47 PM
“In general we need to he honest about how long it may take to see the impacts of housing policy reforms” @jennyschuetz.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 2:46 PM
“There is not one template that works for all states” @jennyschuetz.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 2:35 PM
“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
September 30, 2025 at 2:29 PM
“Effective housing capacity depends on what is currently built on, what zoning allows for, and what markets want to build “

@jennyschuetz.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Kicking off the conference is our keynote @jennyschuetz.bsky.social discussing what policy reforms are needed to increase housing supply #nchousing
September 30, 2025 at 2:18 PM
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
September 30, 2025 at 2:17 PM
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. 🎉
May 23, 2025 at 12:01 AM
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
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!
May 20, 2025 at 1:26 PM
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!
May 20, 2025 at 1:17 PM
“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
May 16, 2025 at 1:43 PM
“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
May 16, 2025 at 1:41 PM
“Housing first doesn’t mean housing ONLY, it means housing is the first step, the first piece.” Dr.Latonya Agard, ED with NCCEH #ncpol
May 16, 2025 at 12:44 PM
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
May 16, 2025 at 12:43 PM
"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
May 15, 2025 at 2:22 PM
"We need a country that values housing" -Donald Whitehead, Jr. Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homelessness #ncpol #nc #bringingithome2025
May 15, 2025 at 2:21 PM
“Housing is foundational to recovery in Western North Carolina” -Gov. Josh Stein @ncgovernor.bsky.social #ncpol #ncga #bringingithome2025
May 15, 2025 at 2:01 PM
“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
May 15, 2025 at 1:59 PM
“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
May 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
"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
May 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
"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
May 15, 2025 at 1:51 PM
"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
May 15, 2025 at 1:47 PM