CALL NOTES
Around the State
Status Updates:
Evictions:
- President Biden directed CDC to extend national eviction moratorium to March 31st
- In NC, Governor Cooper has yet to extend EO 184 that affirms applicability of CDC order in North Carolina and requires landlords inform tenants of the order
Rental assistance
- Breakdown of NC’s $702 M in Coronavirus Relief Fund Rental Assistance between state and eligible localities remains unclear
- If all eligible localities signed up to receive funds, it is estimated the state’s share would be about $542 M
- Numerous implementation & policy questions remain and additional clarification from the U.S. Treasury is needed
- Also unclear where the state’s portion will be administered. The HOPE Program is the most obvious destination, however, no announcements have been made. We expect action may be needed by the General Assembly and/or Governor Cooper
- HOPE Program: NCORR staff maintain that they are committed to providing rental assistance if called to do so and are readying for that possibility
- NCORR continues to process accepted applications received in 2020 and make payment disbursements.
- In an effort to address concerns from landlords/property owners, NCORR is expected to announce policy and process changes to encourage greater acceptance of rental payments
General Assembly Update:
Legislators are back in session on January 27th. Committee announcements have been announced. For more on NCHC’s policy priorities please visit: https://nchousing.org/nc-housing-coalition-2021-policy-agenda/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=legislative_agenda
2021 LIHTC Pre-Application List Announced
Most notably trend from this the number of 4% projects proposed has almost doubled
National
President Biden issues numerous executive orders/actions, including several related to housing:
- Media Statement from CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, on Extending the Eviction Moratorium | CDC Online Newsroom
- Biden Administration Announces Foreclosure Moratorium and Mortgage Forbearance Deadline Extension That Will Bring Relief to Rural Residents
- Memorandum to Extend Federal Support…and to Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States
- Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
Update on Additional COVID-19 Relief
- Additional relief needs to be passed by March when numerous relief measures, such as expanded unemployment insurance benefits, are set to expire. Assuming passage, resources would likely hit the state & local levels in late spring or early summer.
- Conversations in DC have begun to negotiate the next phase of COVID-19 relief
- President Biden proposes $1.9 trillion relief package, including $30 billion for rental assistance
Janet Yellen Confirmed as Treasury Secretary
- Janet Yellen wins Senate approval as treasury secretary
- Advocates are calling on Sec. Yellen to either rescind recent Treasury guidance on CRF rental assistance funds or issue new guidance clarifying numerous issues
- Letter to Treasury RE: CRF Rental Assistance Funds
Senate Banking Committee Begins Confirmation Hearings for Rep. Marcia Fudge as HUD Secretary
Hearing starts Thursday 1/28 at 10 a.m.
Link to livestream proceedings:
Nomination Hearing | United States Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Reports/Resources
Legal Aid of NC: Tenant Rights Clinic
NYU Furman Center on Housing – Through the Roof
Shelterforce – What’s Abolitionist Housing Policy?
NCWAHN presents “Reset & Recharge” Mindfulness Session Tickets, Wed, Feb 3, 2021 at 12:00 PM
