Federal updates
- The Senate Finance Committee released its version of the Build Back Better Act last week with the historic investments in housing intact. The Housing Credit provisions are largely similar to those passed by the House of Representatives in November, with a few key changes that would:
- Extend the allocation increase through 2025 instead of 2024
- Modify the Extremely Low Income (ELI) basis boost to clarify that the boost applies only to units that serve ELI households and language relating to Private Activity Bond issuance.
Senate leadership is pushing to take up Build Back Better before the end of the year, but negotiations are still ongoing with Senator Joe Manchin, who has said he has outstanding concerns.
If/when the Senate does pass Build Back Better, it will need to return to the House for a final vote approving any changes before it can move on to the President’s desk for his signature.
- The Senate also passed a bill Thursday that will enable Congress to lift the debt ceiling and avert what would be the first-ever default in U.S. history. 10 Senate Republicans joined Democrats in passing the bill, which would create a special process to suspend the filibuster on a one-time basis and enable the Senate to lift the debt ceiling with a simple majority vote. Lawmakers are expected to vote on raising the debt ceiling today (Tuesday).
North Carolina updates
- Governor Cooper signed House Bill 110, Landlord Submission of HOPE application into law, which will enable landlords to apply for rent and utility assistance on behalf of tenants: Cooper gives a 50-50 response to six final bills for 2021 | Carolina Journal
- North Carolina’s 2022 primaries have been postponed from March 8 to May 17 as courts consider lawsuits challenging the state’s new legislative district maps: The 2022 primaries are postponed | NC Policy Watch
- The Raleigh City Council approved new zoning rules that will allow tiny homes to be built throughout the city: Can tiny homes help solve a big problem? Raleigh mayor praises ‘major step forward.’ | Raleigh N&O
Reports/articles/events
- Day of Action: Join NLIHC and the Coalition on Human Needs for a Digital Day of Action to pass the Build Back Better Act on Friday, Dec. 17.
- Virtual event: The White House Office of Public Engagement is hosting a Housing and Health Forum on Tuesday, Dec. 14 (today) at 1:00 PM
- Naming Housing as a Human Right Is a First Step to Solving the Housing Crisis | Urban Institute Housing Matters
- Understanding and Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities In Housing | Bipartisan Policy Center
- Affordable homes, a neighborhood at a time | The Mountaineer
- Oped: This NC town was ranked among the best to live. It also has a very NC problem. | The News & Observer
- Wake County Makes Progress on Affordable Housing | Independent Weekly
