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Housing Call: February 11, 2025

Organizational Updates

Save the Date for our Fall Conference

Save the date for the 2025 NC Affordable Housing Conference  happening September 30–October 1 at the Raleigh Convention Center! ​​ Get ready for engaging breakout sessions, insightful speakers and valuable networking opportunities with affordable housing professionals from across North Carolina. More details will be coming your way soon.  The NC Affordable Housing Conference is presented by the North Carolina Housing Coalition, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, and Centrant Community Capital.

Recording and detailed notes from last week’s Housing Call

Last week, we ran into some connection issues with FreeConferenceCall.com that impacted the audio quality of the Housing Call. Thanks for your patience and understanding.  If you would like to catch up on last week’s call, you can check out the re-recording or skim the call notes here.

 

Federal & National Updates

Sign on letter to protect Federal Resources

After the Trump administration’s recent attempt to freeze all Federal grants, loans, and financial assistance programs, it is clear that virtually all Federal housing funds are at risk of disappearing in the next year. If the administration does not try again to halt the distribution of previously appropriated funds, it will soon look to Congress to make drastic budget cuts once the current Continuing Resolution ends in March. At risk programs include:

Our North Carolina Senators and Congresspeople need to know that our state relies on these Federal housing funds to create and sustain affordable, thriving communities. The loss of these funds will mean drastic increases in evictions and homelessness in North Carolina and will stall Hurricane Helene recovery.

Tell NC’s Congressional delegation to protect Federal housing investments in North Carolina. Add your organization to our letter to Congress today.

So far we have 150 signatures from people and organizations across the state !

Click through below to view and sign the letter on behalf of your organization. If you have any questions about participating, contact policy@nchousing.org.

Last week, the U.S. Senate voted 55-44 to confirm Scott Turner as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Secretary Turner announced that he would be halting enforcement of the Equal Protections Rule, which requires housing, facilities, and services funded through HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development to ensure equal access to programs for individuals based on their gender identity without intrusive questioning or being asked to provide documentation.

 

 

State & Local Updates

NC General Assembly Updates

 

Here are some visuals from Carolina Forward that compare the Helene Recovery funding requests vs. the current version of HB47.

  • NCGA Meetings we are watching this week:
    • Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – 9:00 am the House Committee on Finance meet and considered HB48 – A bill to increase Unemployment Benefits
    • Tuesday February 11, 2025 – at 2:00 pm – House Select Committee on Helene Recovery they will reconvene to discuss the amendments that were submitted by committee members and others for HB47. Rep. John Bell asked that all these amendments be submitted by 1:00pm yesterday – Monday February 10, 2025 and had several stipulations such as:
      • Amendments may not increase allocations beyond what is in part 1
      • Only non-recurring

 

2025-2026 Bill Tracker for NC General Assembly

So far, over 137 bills have been filed, less than 12 connect to housing or one of our policy agenda areas. To see our bill tracker for the 2025-2026 legislative session, click here.

Local News & Updates

The City of Raleigh recently launched their Bringing Neighbors Home pilot program, which seeks to address unsheltered homelessness through a solutions-based approach that includes providing direct housing assistance and resources to 45 households. In 2021, the City bought an extended stay motel using ARPA dollars. According to a recent Business Insider article, the city has 70 units at the former motel fully operational and with residents from the Bringing Neighbors Home program and  extremely medically vulnerable individuals for whom being sheltered is a top priority. They hope to have all rooms completed and fully operationalized by 2030.

  • Housing committee: ‘Problem has gotten more challenging,’ 85% price increases since 2018 The New Hanover County/City of Wilmington Workforce Housing Advisory Committee (WHAC) recently presented their annual report on the state of housing in the region. The comprehensive report details goals related to affordable housing funding, policy, programs, and education. The report also highlights the gap in available affordable units. The Committee’s 2025 Recommended Goals for the City and County include:
    • Enact Source of Income protections for rental projects that receive funding support and/or rezoning approval from the City or County;
    • Invest in a full time staff member to offer tenant and landlord education and to investigate Fair Housing complaints;
    • Decrease lot size requirements for duplexes, triplexes, and quadruplexes to encourage infill development; and
    • Commit to the continuation of the County’s Workforce Housing Services Program.

 

Events

  • [webinar] Advancing Homelessness Solutions Webinar Series | National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Alliance to End Homelessness & Center on Budget and Policy Priorities | February 11, 2 – 3 p.m. Register here.
  • [webinar] Field Empowerment Fund – Housing Counseling Services – Informational Webinar | National Community Reinvestment Coalition, February 12, 2:30 p.m. Register here.
    • A webinar for HUD-approved housing counseling agencies to learn more about the Field Empowerment Fund application process to receive grant support.
  • [webinar] Interim Strategies for Responding to Unsheltered Homelessness | National Alliance to End Homelessness, Wednesday February 12, 3-4 p.m. Register here.
  • [webinar] Uncharted: Navigating the New Federal Landscape | Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP), February 13, 1 p.m. Register here
    • The webinar will feature guest speakers with top line information on current questions and concerns for nonprofits. Experts will cover topics like advocacy, federal data sources, and federal funding and personnel. We will have time after the updates for discussion- bring your questions for our experts as well as your thoughts on the resources and support you need.
  • [webinar] “The Housing Moment: Innovations for a Better Future,” | Terner Labs & the National League of Cities, Thursday, February 27, at 9:00 a.m. Register here.
    • The event will include three panel discussions and presentations covering topics such as housing innovation, the relationship between housing and wealth, and the development of stable and strong homes. The event will feature conversations between several housing, community development, and financing experts.

 

Reports & Resources

 

In the News

Recommended read

Housing Call: February 4, 2024

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