Federal updates
- After Congress returns from August recess, lawmakers will have several short weeks to address the budget before the federal fiscal year ends on September 30. While September 30 is technically the deadline for Congress to pass all 12 appropriations bills (including the bill that funds HUD), it rarely happens that way, and a continuing resolution is needed to buy time until appropriators can make a deal.
This year, the chances of reaching a budget deal by the end of the year could all hinge on midterm elections in the fall. Republicans might decide it’s worth waiting to see if they gain more leverage to negotiate spending levels, while Democrats are seeking a deal while they still have majorities in both chambers.
Adding to the dynamic, Congress’s top two appropriators, Senate Appropriations Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Vice Chair Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) are both set to retire after the current Congressional session ends. Senator Leahy has said he wants to finish a short-term package with new spending levels before the current Congress ends, ramping up the pressure for one last funding deal with Shelby.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released details for a new category of housing vouchers. The Stability Voucher Program directs aid to people who are unsheltered, or face severe risk of homelessness. The voucher fund totals approximately $43 million, which will create 4,000 new incremental vouchers. The effort builds on commitments by the Biden administration to focus on unsheltered and rural homelessness. To qualify, communities must demonstrate that their public housing agencies and homelessness authorities are working together to coordinate relief.
State updates
- The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resilience announced earlier this month that the second phase of the Affordable Housing Development Fund program has begun. Local governments across the state can apply for funds to assist “shovel-ready” projects to increase the availability of safe, affordable housing in areas that experienced major damage from hurricanes Matthew and Florence. In total, $19.4 million will be given out during this phase, which focuses on multi-family projects to increase opportunities for families working to recover from the storms: $19.4 million to be awarded for multi-family housing projects in areas impacted by hurricanes | WECT News 6
- Last week, the Charlotte City Council passed amendments to its new policy that protects people using vouchers and other lawful sources of income to pay rent. The amendments outline the actions the city can take in response to a violation by a landlord:
- First violation: Compliance training and a fine up to $23,011 if the violation is not cured in 30 days.
- Second violation: Fine up to $57,527 if the violation is not cured in 30 days.
- Third violation: Fine up to $115,054 if the violation is not cured in 30 days, and potential preclusion from future city programs or awards.
Charlotte is the first city in North Carolina to pass protections against source of income discimination. These protections only apply to housing that has received financial support from the city: New Policy Protects People With Vouchers Seeking City-Supported Housing | City of Charlotte
- According to a study by Rent.com, North Carolina cities experienced major rent increases since last year. Of the cities included in the report, Greensboro had the largest year-over-year increase in the nation. Greensboro one-bedroom apartments are 74.2% more expensive than they were last year: NC city sees a nearly 75% increase in rent prices for a one-bedroom apartment | News & Observer
- In Raleigh, Kane Realty is offering what it calls affordable “micro units” as part of a proposed project in an effort to convince city leaders to allow a rezoning with up to 40 stories in North Hills. The Raleigh City Council has a policy stating that rezoning requests with more than 7 stories should include housing that is affordable for households earning below 80% of the area median income. The proposed microunits would be 600 sq ft and the project could include 200-500 units: Kane Realty pitches ‘micro-units’ in exchange for up to 40 stories in North Hills | News & Observer
- In a new report released by the Inspection Support Network, Raleigh and Charlotte are listed first and third respectively for large U.S. cities with the newest homes for sale (most recently built). The median age of a house in the U.S. is 42 years. In Raleigh, the median home age is 27 years. In Charlotte, it’s 29 years: Where are the ‘youngest’ homes for sale in the nation? In these two NC cities. | AOL
Reports, events, resources
- The Latest GSE Stress Test Results: Confirming a Major De-risking Success | NYU Furman Center
- Could cooperative housing solve today’s affordability crisis? | Washington Post
- Affordable Housing Developers Look to the White House for Help | Bloomberg CityLab
- SDOH Intervention Targets Housing Stability for Incarcerated People | SDOH Intervention Targets Housing Stability for Incarcerated People
- Get Used to Startups Trying to Reinvent Housing | Wired
- Watch: Multi-generational Housing Trend Takes Off With College Students | NBC Today
- Affordable Housing As Economic Development | The Philadelphia Citizen
- People of color shouldn’t have to obliterate their presence to receive fair home values | The Pulse
