City to Accept Housing Pre-Development Proposals
Winston-Salem's Office of Housing Development is seeking planning-stage proposals from neighborhood-focused nonprofits, due Nov. 6, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Winston-Salem's Office of Housing Development is accepting proposals for pre-development assistance from neighborhood-focused nonprofits, with submissions due by 5 p.m. Nov. 6, 2026. The assistance covers planning and technical work rather than direct rental aid or construction awards.
Why it matters
The pre-development assistance helps organizations assess whether a proposed development is feasible and ready for a later construction phase. It gives Winston-Salem nonprofits a way to prepare projects before seeking larger investment.
Awards are limited to soft costs such as building and site drawings, property surveys, environmental reviews, soil testing, and utility assessments. The total pool of available funding and the number of awards were not specified in the solicitation.
The players
Winston-Salem Office of Housing Development
The city office administering the pre-development assistance request and evaluating proposals from neighborhood nonprofits.
The details
Organizations must submit qualifications, a project approach and timetable, an itemized budget, and references. Proposals will be evaluated on nonprofit status, neighborhood engagement, affordable housing experience, feasibility, and cost, and may be emailed to michaelbl@cityofws.org or delivered as sealed hard copies to City Hall, 101 N. Main St., Suite 232.
Timeline
Nov. 6, 2026, at 5 p.m.: proposal deadline.
Around Nov. 30, 2026: anticipated award announcement, an estimate not a guarantee.
June 15, 2027: deadline for all funding to be spent.
Market Landscape
Municipal pre-development funding separates feasibility work from construction awards, a stage-gated structure common in affordable housing pipelines. Winston-Salem's request follows that pattern by funding planning and technical work only, while keeping its separate consultant search for a Neighborhood Housing Strategy distinct from this opportunity.
Neighborhood nonprofits in Winston-Salem can use this assistance to fund planning work before pursuing construction. Residents may eventually see housing projects advance that would otherwise stall at the feasibility stage.
The takeaway
Nonprofits planning affordable housing in Winston-Salem should prepare feasibility documentation early, since pre-development funding targets work that comes before construction. Proposals must be complete and submitted by the 5 p.m. deadline on Nov. 6, 2026.
What happens next
Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 6, 2026, and an award announcement is anticipated around Nov. 30, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more philanthropy coverage for context on how nonprofit funding works.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WS Chronicle.
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