Housing Call: July 23, 2024

Organizational Updates

Don’t forget to submit your nominations for our 2024 NC Housing Coalition Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2024 NC Housing Coalition Awards! Each year we recognize housing advocates across the state at our Annual Breakfast during the NC Affordable Housing Conference (September 5-6). If you or someone you know has gone above and beyond to advocate for affordable housing in North Carolina, nominate them today! The deadline to submit is July 26.

Federal Updates

President Biden announced he will not be running for re-election. He endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris.

NC delegation has endorsed Kamala Harris.

Advocacy Alert!

NLIHC-endorsed “Reforming Disaster Recovery Act” would permanently authorize the CDBG-DR program

The bipartisan Reforming Disaster Recovery Act (S.1686) would permanently authorize HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, which provides flexible grants to help Presidentially-declared disaster areas rebuild affordable housing and other infrastructure, and make critical reforms to ensure a more efficient and equitable disaster recovery. Use this form to urge Congress to support the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act.

NLIHC, NHLP, and TUF Launch National Tenants Bill of Rights to Enshrine Federal Tenant Protections

NLIHC, the National Housing Law Project (NHLP), and the Tenant Union Federation (TUF) launched on June 25 the National Tenants Bill of Rights (TBOR) in a major step towards shifting more power to renters and advancing tenant protections. Solutions to our nation’s housing crisis must include strong and enforceable tenant protections to help prevent housing instability and homelessness, redress long-standing racial and social inequities, and advance housing justice. Individuals, organizations, elected officials, and candidates can endorse the National Tenants Bill of Rights here.

State & Local Updates

Flood history questions added to real estate disclosure fund

As of July 1 prospective real estate buyers in North Carolina must now be provided the NC Real Estate commission residential disclosure form by the seller that for the first time includes questions related to a property’s flood risk. Essentially ensuring that now prospective buyers -among other information- will know whether or not the house they are looking to buy has been flooded before.

Housing prices making mortgages unaffordable for families

New data from Zillow shows that in North Carolina, a family earning median income would need to put down on average about 35.4% of the total cost of the house upfront in order to make the monthly mortgage payment affordable.

In Charlotte – a median-income family would need to put down about 38.6% or $149,041 to make the monthly mortgage payment affordable.
In Raleigh – the family would need to put down 33.9% or $152, 410 down.

LGC approves $368M for joint project spanning several towns | The North State Journal – several of the projects impact development:

Expanding the Sanford Water Treatment Plant to accommodate additional water flow of 18 million gallons daily, addressing both current and future growth expectations in the area.
Several housing related projects
- $38.5 million for Inlivian Housing in Charlotte to develop a 238 unit multi-family rental complex
- $16 million for NCHFA to rehab 381 units across 14 rural communities

Haywood County advances two major affordable housing projects with federal funds; The county received almost $10 million in federal funding for affordable housing after Tropical Storm Fred hit the area almost three years ago.

Balsalm edge – 84 one and two and three bedroom units are planned for land in Waynesville.
Homeownership opportunities for 24 families
$4 million still remains

Charlotte-area Habitat for Humanity affiliates plan Oct. 1 merger • NC Newsline| The HFH of the Charlotte region and Habitat Gaston County announced this past week that they will merge in October and operate as Habitat Charlotte Region. The organizations have served more than 4,800 families since 1983. The new organization will serve families from Charlotte to Gastonia, and Pineville to Statesville.

Events

[webinar] Quarterly Update: Source of Income Discrimination | HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research, July 25, 2024 2 – 4 p.m.
Land of Sky Regional Council’s 2nd Annual WNC Regional Housing Forum | August 9, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Registration $20. Flat Rock, NC

the 2024 WNC Regional Housing Forum! Join us for a day filled with insightful discussions and networking opportunities focused on housing in the Western North Carolina region. This year we are focusing on resident retention strategies (keeping current residents in their homes), community development, and opportunities for small and rural communities. (Agenda distributed shortly)

The event will take place on Friday, Aug 09, starting at 9 AM (doors at 8:30) at the Blue Ridge Conference Hall in Flat Rock. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with industry professionals and learn about the latest trends in housing. See you there!

2024 NC Affordable Housing Conference | September 5-6 at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Second Annual NCWAHN Luncheon | September 6 following the NC Affordable Housing Conference in Raleigh. Details forthcoming.
APA – NC Fall Conference, October 16-18, Greenville, NC