Housing Call: February 28, 2023

Guest Speaker: NCHFA policy and research analyst Annie Baumann-Mitchell joins us this morning to share a information about a funding opportunity through NCHFA’s Supportive Housing American Rescue Plan (SHARP) Program

NCHC Updates

Registration is now open for the Bringing It Home 2023 conference! This interactive virtual conference will take place on May 2-3 and include keynote addresses from Ann Oliva and Secretary Kody Kinsley, a panel discussion with the NC Balance of State CoC Lived Expertise Advisory Council, a virtual speed networking session, a mindfulness session, and more than a dozen workshops. Leadership and executive staff are also invited to participate in an in-person networking reception on May 1.
We will be at the General Assembly tomorrow for NCHC Lobby Day.

Federal Updates

None

State Updates

Thousands of affordable housing units across NC are aging out of the period of mandated affordability. A recent article in the Charlotte Observer dives into the significant projected loss of affordable housing units in the coming years as tax credit properties age out of their period of mandated affordability. Over the next 5 years, affordability mandates will expire for over 7,000 units across the state.
Bills
- [filed 2/27] SB 167 : Source of Income Nondiscrimination Act
- [yet to be included in the bill] HB 114 : Home Ownership Market Manipulation to include Standing Committee on Affordable Housing (per tweet from Rep. Carolyn Logan)

Local Updates

Haywood County receives additional Federal funding for affordable housing. Haywood County recently received an additional $4M in CDBG-DR funds. Like the previous $7M tranche of funds the County received, these funds will be for affordable housing in response to the severe damage and loss of houses experienced in August 2021 from Tropical Storm Fred. Funds can be used for affordable housing activities, including first-time homeowner down payment assistance, renovations and repairs, preservation of affordable housing, property acquisition, and LIHTC multifamily construction.

DFI presents affordable housing market analysis findings to Buncombe County. At last week’s Buncombe County Commissioners meeting, staff with the Development Finance Institute (DFI) at UNC – Chapel Hill’s School of Government presented findings from their affordable housing market analysis. DFI identified 4 county-owned properties with potential for affordable housing development.

The need is clear for affordable housing in Buncombe County. Our 2022 County Profiles indicate that the highest housing wage in the state is in the Asheville metro area, where a family must earn an hourly wage of $28.19 to afford a modest 2 bedroom apartment. In addition, DFI’s findings suggest that almost 1,000 affordable apartments in Buncombe County will age out of their period of mandated affordability in the next 10 years.

New tax-credit property opens in Charlotte. The City of Charlotte recently celebrated the opening of Sundale Flats, their newest affordable housing community. The development adds 180 units of affordable housing for Charlotte residents earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Winston-Salem displaces low-income residents during renovation of city-owned apartments. The City of Winston-Salem is asking residents at two city-owned apartment communities to move out by the end of May while major repairs and renovations are underway. The buildings are more than 50 years old and have not undergone significant renovations in over 30 years. The city is offering to pay relocation expenses for residents and is offering rent forbearance for next 3 months. In addition to housing search and counseling services provided by the City and Financial Pathways of the Piedmont, residents are eligible to receive compensation for the difference in their current rent and new rent up to a certain amount.

Residents and organizers from Housing Justice Now are asking the City to complete exterior safety repairs and allow residents to remain in their units, citing the lack of comparably priced units in the area.

● Greensboro starts the conversation about Community Land Trusts. The City of Greensboro’s Housing & Neighborhood Development Department invites residents, lenders, and community partners interested in learning more about Community Land Trusts and affordable housing to attend one of the Community Land Trust sessions in mid-March.

Events

[virtual] Prison Research Meets Practice: A Conversation on Restrictive Housing | Urban Institute, 2/28, 2 p.m.
[virtual] Housing Finance & Social Equity: Addressing Race and Racism in Mortgage Lending | Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2/28, 11 a.m.
[public comment by telephone or written letter] Public Hearing Regarding the Issuance of Tax-Exempt Bonds | NC Housing Finance Agency, 3/8, 11 a.m.
[in-person] NC Rural Summit | NC Rural Center, 3/20-21 @ the Raleigh Convention Center
- “Housing First: Affordability, Accessibility & Policy Solutions” breakout session
- Registration closes Friday

[in-person] Housing Policy Forum 2023 | NLIHC, 3/21-3/23 in Washington, D.C.
- Features discussions with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, FHFA Director Sandra Thompson, Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo, Matthew Desmond, and NC’s own Rev. Dr. William Barber II.