Federal Updates
HUD Encourages PHAs to Use Discriminatory Screening Practices
HUD recently sent a letter to housing authorities and owners of Project Based Rental Assistance encouraging them to use arrest and criminal records in tenant screenings. The letter also encourages PHAs to advertise a hotline that residents can call to report neighbors they think may be undocumented or involved in criminal activity.
Our partners at the National Low Income Housing Coalition explained in a recent memo, “The letter does not change underlying legal requirements regarding admissions and evictions. Any discretionary admissions and eviction policies remain up to PHAs and owners. Other laws’ prohibitions on discrimination, including the ‘Fair Housing Act’ and the ‘Violence Against Women Act,’ also still apply. “
We advocate for affordable housing because we want to see safe, healthy, thriving communities in North Carolina, and operations that include racial profiling, targeted public harassment, and arrests by masked agents only instills fear and jeopardizes the safety and livelihoods of our neighbors. We continue to monitor ICE/CBP activity in NC and connect with our partners about the impacts of these operations on our communities. See the Resources section below for more information.
Public Charge Sign on Letter
The Department of Homeland Security published a proposed “public charge” rule in the Federal Register on November 19. The rule allows critical services to be considered when applying for a visa or green card—without specifying the programs under consideration—and removes the 2022 Biden public charge rule. If finalized, this rule would harm immigrant families’ access to key services by creating a culture of inaccessibility and fear.
You can draft a comment on behalf of your organization using the Protecting Immigrant Families comment template and submitting it on the Federal Register by December 19 midnight ET. The comment strategy is focused on substantive, evidence-based comments, rather than as many comments as possible. They are focusing on the high costs of homelessness and housing insecurity when immigrant families avoid services because of the chilling effect caused by the public charge rule. Learn more and download the comment template here.
ROAD to Housing doesn’t make it into the NDAA
The House will vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) tomorrow without the ROAD to Housing Act provision attached as a rider. Bipartisan efforts in the Senate had attached the ROAD to Housing Act, the first piece of comprehensive, bipartisan housing legislation to come from the Senate in over 10 years. House Financial Service Committee Chair French Hill (R-AR) said that House Republicans were opposed to many of the provisions in the ROAD to Housing Act and plan to put forth their own housing bill next month. However, Politico reports that House Republicans are divided on the decision to exclude the rider from the NDAA.
State Updates
Legislative Updates
NCGA to Convene Next Week
The General Assembly reconvenes next week. No action on the state budget is expected until after the New Year.
Upcoming Meetings on Public Safety
Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety meets on December 11 at 1p.m. in 643 LOB. Stream the meeting here.
Disaster Recovery Updates
NC will launch Helene housing programs for multi-family, workforce units in 2026 | NC Newsline
With deadline looming, more than 6,000 Western NC homeowners seek rebuilding help after Helene | WUNC
Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program is accepting applications until the end of the month. The Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program is a centralized housing rehabilitation, reconstruction or replacement program that will prioritize low-to-moderate income families with seniors aged 62 and older, children, and/or disabled household members impacted by Hurricane Helene.
- Access the Toolkit: ENGLISH HERE, SPANISH HERE.
- Please share this information WIDELY: Updated Media Kit
- Have questions? View the Resources Page here or reach out to: Maggie Battaglin, Single-Family Housing Director, Division of Community Revitalization maggie.battaglin@commerce.nc.gov.
Local Headlines
Protesters pack normally quiet Atrium Health hospital authority meeting | NC Health News
Mecklenburg County Introduces Targeted Health and Human Services in NW Neighborhood Surrounding Catherine Simmons Avenue | Mecklenburg County
NAACP to Summerfield: Commit to water and sewer | Connect2 NWGuilford
Greensboro outreach team works to build trust and hope with unhoused community | Spectrum Local News
Reports & Resources
Could the Federal Tax Code Help Alleviate Housing Burdens? | Urban Institute
Mobile Home Moving Permits | Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
Census Bureau: 2020-2024 ACS Data to be Published in Late January | Novogradac
County Profiles will be delayed due to the Census Bureau pushing back the release of the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Be on the lookout for County Profiles in early spring!
Community Resources: Know Your Rights
We advocate for affordable housing because we want to see safe, healthy, thriving communities in North Carolina, and operations that include racial profiling, targeted public harassment, and arrests by masked agents only instills fear and jeopardizes the safety and livelihoods of our neighbors. We continue to monitor ICE/CBP activity in NC and connect with our partners about the impacts of these operations on our communities.
Resources:
- Siembra NC: Hotline number 336-543-0353
- Ojo Obrero
- North Carolina Justice Center – Emergency Planning Resources for Immigrant Families
- ACLU – Know Your Rights
Events
NC H369 Virtual Organizing Town Hall (virtual) | Piedmont Promise, December 9, 6:30-7:30p.m. Learn more and register here.
