Federal updates
- The House of Representatives voted to advance the Build Back Better Act, including more than $150 billion in investments for affordable housing and provisions for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Neighborhood Homes.The House vote had been delayed by moderate Democrats who wanted to see the bill’s Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score. The CBO estimated the 10-year cost of the bill to be $1.68 trillion.The $1.75 trillion economic recovery package is now headed to the Senate, where changes are expected. Advocacy is still needed to get Build Back Better over the finish line and there is some concern that housing could be a vulnerable area if changes are made. After passing the Senate, the House will need to vote a final time before sending the bill to President Biden for his signature.
- S. Representative G.K. Butterfield announced he will retire from Congress: Rep. GK Butterfield announces retirement, setting up wide-open election in Eastern NC | Raleigh N&O
- After punting the decisions earlier in the year, lawmakers in Congress need to both fund the government past the current December 3 deadline and raise the debt ceiling before the US defaults on its debt: Congress is facing a December time crunch. Here’s what to expect | Vox
North Carolina updates
- Governor Cooper signed the state budget into law after it passed through both houses with little opposition. The Senate voted 41-7 to pass it, and the House gave its final approval with a 101-10 vote. Housing highlights include gap financing for LIHTC development and removal of the negative policy provisions that were previously proposed. More details on the housing investments can be found in the Coalition’s budget analysis.
- NCGA members reviewed policies and practices of the HOPE program at a Government Operations hearing in mid-November. Lawmakers are now weighing legislation that would permit landlords to ask for HOPE funding on behalf of their tenants: A closer look at efforts to help NC renters and landlords during the pandemic | NC Policy Watch
- Chatham Park developers will build 1,650 affordable homes and apartments in the planned 7,068-acre community under a policy worked out with the town board. Affordable housing approved for Chatham Park. Will it be enough? | Raleigh N&O
- Western Carolina Community Action received more than $25,000 from Dogwood Health Trust. That money will be used for a survey to improve its housing voucher program: Nonprofit tries to make rent more affordable for Transylvania County residents | MY40
- The Chapel Hill Town Council unanimously voted to approve more than $660,000 in funding for affordable housing development, including for CASA, Community Home Trust, EmPOWERment, Inc. and Habitat for Humanity. Chapel Hill Town Council approves over $660,000 to fund affordable housing projects | Daily Tar Heel
Reports/articles/events
- Webinar: Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies is hosting Can We Finally Close Racial Homeownership Gaps? Insights From Three New Initiatives on Tuesday (today), Nov. 30 at 4:30pm.
- Some ERA Programs Close Application Portals as They Project Expending Funds | NLIHC
- ‘We’re coming back’: Raleigh mayor talks recovery from pandemic | WRAL
- Homeowners growing frustrated federal money earmarked for mortgage help has yet to flow | WRAL
- Is an end coming in January for what housing advocates call legal discrimination in Charlotte? | WFAE 90.7
- Homes selling quicker across Triad than elsewhere in N.C., study shows | Triad Business Journal
- How the House spending bill expands affordable housing | Washington Post
- With Soaring Home Prices, Government May Back Home Loans of Close to $1 Million | The Ascent
- Home Prices Are Surging. The Manufactured-Housing Industry Sees an Opening. | The Wall Street Journal
- The Housing Proposal That’s Quietly Tearing Apart Atlanta | CityLab
- US home sales unexpectedly hit nine-month high | New York Post
- Landlords Are Less Likely to Reply to Applicants with Black and Latino Names | Bloomberg
- Blame Policies, Not Places, for Poor Health | Shelterforce
- The Data Cities Need to Understand & Address Their Eviction Crises | National League of Cities
- Buying a House Feels Impossible These Days. Here Are 6 Innovative Paths to Homeownership | TIME
- Renters strike back as cities cap price hikes by landlords | Politico
