December 7, 2021
Federal updates
- Build Back Better’s prospects in the Senate are still uncertain. In a letter to lawmakers on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he aims to pass the spending bill before Christmas. However, Senator Manchin is skeptical that it will get done this month. He and Senator Sinema have not yet publicly agreed to vote for the bill and are still voicing concerns over the size and scope of the package. If the Senate does take it up in December, changes are expected to be made before it goes to the floor. After passing the Senate, the House will need to vote a final time to approve any changes before the bill can go to President Biden for his signature.
- There is a lot to be done in Congress before the end of the year. Lawmakers passed a stopgap spending measure to avert a government shutdown and extend current funding levels through February 18th. However, they still need to address the nation’s borrowing authority by December 15 before the U.S. reaches its debt limit to avoid an unprecedented federal default. The Senate is also working on an annual defense authorization package, all of which could delay consideration of the Build Back Better Act.
North Carolina updates
- H334/S112 Budget Technical Corrections passed last week, which included the lifting of the Workforce Housing Loan Program caps. The caps would have made it difficult to administer the $170 million in funding that was included in the budget. This was an oversight that the Coalition was quick to address and ensure was included in the technical corrections bill.
- HB110 Landlord Submission of HOPE Application also passed, making modifications to the state’s emergency rental assistance program that would require the state to:
- Accept applications from landlords;
- Open applications to hotel/motel residents;
- Extend from 12 to 15 months assistance;
- Cover late fees; and
- Accept utility-only applications.
- The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider creating three new housing-focused positions in Buncombe’s Planning Department during its regular meeting tonight: Buncombe seeks staff expansion for affordable housing | Mountain Xpress
- The City of Asheville is no longer pursuing an emergency shelter at the Ramada Inn property located near the River Ridge Shopping Center. They are working with a new partner to explore the idea of permanent supportive housing instead: City of Asheville will not move forward with an emergency shelter at Ramada Inn | ABC 13 News
- New, affordable apartments are opening in east Charlotte with rents starting at $500. The Parkside development was constructed by NHE and contains 80 new units: New low-income housing complex opening in Charlotte, rent starts at $500 per month | CBS 17
- Chatham Park, a new development in Pittsboro, is set to include 22,000 housing units, 1,650 of which will be affordable homes and apartments. The development will also come with retail spaces and places to eat: New development in Chatham County hopes to help accommodate massive growth | WRAL
Reports/articles/events
- Virtual Event: NLIHC Housing Policy Forum 2022 on March 22 & 23 from 12:30 – 5:30 PM
- Narrowing the Racial Homeownership Gap: A New Strategy for Low-Cost Cities | Nonprofit Quarterly
- California Company Works to Preserve N.C. Housing | Independent Weekly
- ‘America is moving again.’ In Charlotte, Harris touts infrastructure spending | Charlotte Observer
- Absent from court: Where are the tenants who miss their eviction hearings? | Charlotte Observer
- State budget includes funding for several local projects | The Coastland Times
- Court halts candidate filing in disputed NC districts | Raleigh N&O
