Federal updates
- Language was approved for a proposed fix to recent Treasury guidance that limited the way State Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF) could be used for LIHTC programs. The fix is intended to be included in the FY22 budget and will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee this week. Additional updates on appropriations are limited given the current focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but Congress has until March 11 to pass a budget and the funding bill is expected to move next week.
- President Biden has announced his S. Supreme Court nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Judge Jackson, a well-regarded federal appeals court judge, will begin meeting with senators in courtesy get-togethers this week. Democrats are hoping for a confirmation vote in April. If confirmed, Judge Jackson will be the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.
- President Biden will deliver his first State of the Union address tonight (Tuesday) at 9pm.
State updates
- A trial court considered redrawn North Carolina district maps last week that were submitted by the NCGA. The panel of judges approved the NC House and Senate district maps, but replaced the congressional district map with one that was crafted by independent redistricting experts. Republican legislators appealed the decision to replace the map to the state Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court upheld the trial court’s decision. NC Republicans are now appealing the redistricting case to the U.S. Supreme Court. In the meantime, candidate filing for the primary election resumed and will be open until March 4.
- Last week, New Hanover County Commissioners met with Wilmington City Council members to discuss a plan for affordable housing and a sales tax referendum. Officials committed to investing $15 million over 5 years, which falls short of the $50 million bond measure that had been previously floated by local leaders and housing experts.
- In Winston-Salem, the housing authority plans to revitalize and redevelop the Cleveland Homes community. The first phase will develop an abandoned lot into ~80 apartment units. 37 units will be set aside for households earning 30% of area median income or less, 14 for 60% AMI and the remaining will be market rate: Winston-Salem moves one step closer to breaking ground on new affordable housing options | Fox 8
Reports/articles/events
- REMINDER Virtual Event: NLIHC hosts its annual Housing Policy Forum: Achieving Housing Justice from March 22-23
- Virtual and In-Person Event: National Housing Conference hosts its annual Solutions for Housing Communications on Wednesday, 3/30
- Treasury: Most COVID rental aid went to low-income residents | Associated Press
- Vice President Kamala Harris to visit Durham to talk about wages, worker’s unions | WRAL
- Dysfunctional policies have broken America’s housing supply chain | Brookings Institute
- New congressional map causes campaign changes. Where are NC candidates running? | Raleigh N&O
- Durham resident survey sheds light on growing need for affordable housing | CBS17
- Housing crisis: Video shows desperation for finding affordable homes | TV6 KWQC
- Lack of affordable housing plays big part in growing homeless population, experts say | ABC 13
