Housing Call: May 21, 2024 – North Carolina Housing Coalition

Federal Updates

The National Low Income Housing Coalition urges advocates to comment in support of HUD’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, “Reducing Barriers to HUD-Assisted Housing.” The proposed rule would make important changes to HUD’s existing screening regulations for applicants with conviction histories or a history of involvement with the criminal-legal system. The proposed changes would reduce unnecessary barriers to HUD-assisted housing that too often prevent people impacted by the criminal-legal system from accessing housing. The deadline for advocates to submit comments is June 10.
House Appropriations Chair Cole Releases Topline Funding Levels for FY25 Appropriations Bills and Timeline for Committee Work Last week, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee released topline funding allocations for the 12 FY 2025 spending bills. The FY 25 Transportation, Housing & Urban Development (THUD) bill allocation grew 2% from last year, however it’s unclear how funding will be divided between housing and transportation. Subcommittees will now begin drafting their spending plans and the THUD subcommittee will review THUD’s proposed FY25 spending in late June. It’s unlikely that any of the spending bills will be passed before the November elections.

NLIHC is calling on Congress to provide the highest possible funding for HUD’s affordable housing and homelessness programs in FY25, including significant funding for NLIHC’s top priorities:

Full funding to renew all existing contracts for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and expand assistance to 20,000 more households.
$6.2 billion for public housing operations and $5.2 billion for public housing capital needs.
$4.7 billion for HUD’s Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG) program.
$100 million for the Eviction Prevention Grant Program.
At least $1.3 billion for Tribal housing programs, plus $150 million for competitive funds targeted to tribes with the greatest needs.

State Updates

State Legislative Updates

We are continuing to watch legislation move through the general assembly, for our full bill tracker – click here. This will show you all bills eligible for consideration this session that were introduced during the long legislative session, as well as bills that have been introduced recently.

At our policy team’s legislative day of action tomorrow we will be speaking with several representatives about many things such as:

The importance of investing in our state housing trust fund, and the workforce housing loan program ( WHLP)
The need to proactively address the future of our disaster recovery and resiliency infrastructure
Supporting efforts to improve coordination at the state level in housing and community development
Protecting and supporting agencies that are critical for our state’s housing ecosystem like the NCHFA – North Carolina Housing Finance Agency

Local Community Updates

It’s budget season for local governments across NC. We’re keeping an eye on various affordable housing investments under consideration and will report back in the coming weeks as budgets for the upcoming July 1 fiscal year are adopted. Advocacy tip: We recommend that you do the same no matter where you are in the state! Budget season usually begins as early as October, most of the spring involves workshops and presentations and work sessions about budget.

North Carolina nonprofit builds homes in Happy Hill neighborhood | Last week, Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County partnered the Home Builders Association of Winston-Salem, the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem and the City of Winston-Salem in a Builders’ Blitz event to build 5 homes over 5 days in the Happy Hill neighborhood. Looking ahead, the Housing Authority of Winston Salem has plans to add townhomes and detached homes to the neighborhood.
Chapel Hill Council Moves Toward November Bond Vote, Holds Budget Public Comment – Chapelboro.com | Last week, the Town of Chapel Hill unanimously adopted a resolution to proceed with a $44 million general obligation bond referendum in November that designates $15 million towards affordable housing. The town plans to introduce the bond orders at the June 5 council meeting.
Vacant, city-owned lots to be flipped to affordable housing in Durham | The City of Durham is in the process of conveying a dozen vacant city-owned properties to affordable housing developers. Three organizations – Habitat for Humanity Durham, Durham Community Land Trustees, and Black Lamb Development Corporation plan to build affordable units once the land is conveyed.

Events

[webinar] Advancing Homelessness Solutions – “Using the FY25 Appropriations Process to Fund Solutions to Homelessness” | NLIHC, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, May 21 from 2 to 3 pm ET. Register here.
Fair Housing Training Events | City of Asheville, Buncombe County & Land of Sky Regional Council, May 21 @ Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Community Center. Register for the event here.
[webinar] A National Call for Safe, Affordable Housing for Infants and Toddlers | Opportunity Starts at Home, May 22, 3 p.m.
2024 Annual NCCDA & PHRANC Spring Training | May 22-24 in New Bern. To register, click here.
Bringing it Home: Ending Homelessness In NC Conference – Raleigh, NC June 4-5.Registration deadline has already passed.
CAHEC Partners Conference – Raleigh, NC – June 4 – 5. Registration deadline has already passed.
Women’s Affordable Housing Network National Housing Summit 2024 – Atlanta, GA – June 9-11. To register, click here.