Federal Updates
- Negotiations over a final fiscal year (FY) 2023 spending bill picked up last week among Appropriations Committee members. Congress has until December 16 to enact a final FY23 bill or pass another continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded. Talks had been delayed due to the midterm elections, but are starting to resume. However, lawmakers are on a tight timeline to reach agreement in the next few weeks. In addition to finalizing an FY23 omnibus, members of Congress are hoping to pass an end-of-the-year tax extenders package that may include an expansion of and reforms to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).
- With the midterm election over, lawmakers in Congress are now focused on leadership elections, including for Speaker of the House as well as key committees. There are also some leadership changes proposed in the Senate, with some previous members in leadership switching to other roles.
NCHC Updates
- The North Carolina Housing Coalition is administering a new Homeownership Assistance Program through the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR). The program launched earlier this month and assists first-time and first-generation homebuyers with up to $30,000 in down payment assistance and up to 5% in closing cost assistance. The program will serve households with low-to moderate-incomes in 16 counties that were most impacted and distressed by hurricanes Matthew and Florence.
- Today, on #GivingTuesday, invest in your community with us! Housing is a human right and your membership renewal today ensures more North Carolinians can access homes to live in with dignity and opportunity. https://nchousing.org/become-a-member/ and learn more about some changes coming in 2023 https://nchousing.org/a-special-message-to-our-members/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=join_page&utm_campaign=membership
State and Local Community Updates
- Comments are needed on draft regional resilience portfolios by Tuesday Dec, 5. Regional resilience portfolios are created in partnership with N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency, N.C. Rural Center and the N.C. Council of Governments, along with each of the nine regional councils of governments to help regions across the state plan for the impacts of climate change. There are 9 regional portfolios to be commented on, and housing and community infrastructure are mentioned in several.
- The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro raised $27 million dollars to fund a workforce housing project. The organization plans to erect between 900-1,100 affordable housing units around east Greensboro, specifically in Random Woods, Kings Forest, Glenwood, Dudley Heights and Mill District.
- Demolition began on Liberty Street Apartments in Durham, which is part of the city Housing Authority’s downtown and neighborhood revitalization plan to create more affordable housing. In its place, construction of the Elizabeth Street Apartments will begin early 2023 and offer 72 affordable family units.
- An affordable housing initiative for people with autism and intellectual disabilities is expanding in Conway. Five years ago, SOS Care purchased 10 acres in Conway to launch Oak Tree Farm. Currently, five residents living with autism stay in two duplexes on the property, but by mid-next year, the program is hoping to expand to house more than 70 people.
- The Wake County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to appropriate $35 million from the county’s existing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address housing instability. This appropriation was possible because of the U.S. Treasury Department’s recent adjustments to ARPA guidelines in an effort to spur the development of more affordable housing at a time of rising rents.
- The Chapel Hill Town Council unanimously approved a new funding plan for affordable housing at its meeting earlier this month, which included a new project called the PEACH Apartments. The apartments will have 10 units available for households earning at or below 30 percent of the Area Median Income.
Events
- [virtual] Fair Share from Coast to Coast | Up For Growth, 11/29, 11am
- [in-person] MHO 2022 Homecoming | Mountain Housing Opportunities, 12/1, 4-6pm, Highland Brewing Company. RSVP here.
- [virtual] What Is the Future of Loss Mitigation? | Urban Institute, 12/5, 12-2pm
- [virtual] Toward New Narratives About Aging in Place | Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, 12/8, 12pm
Reports & Resources
- Charlotte’s 2022 State of Housing Report | University of North Carolina Charlotte and Childress Klein Center For Real Estate
- How is Digitalization Changing The Design and Construction of Housing? | Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies
In the News
- ‘The issue impacts the entire community’: Corporate landlords contributing to affordable housing crisis | WCNC Charlotte
- ‘It’s a struggle’: CHCCS teachers choose between expensive housing or long commutes | Daily Tar Heel
- You must earn six figures to afford the typical home in the US, report shows | WCNC Charlotte
- Maggie Triplette: Greensboro can and should increase its housing investment | News & Record
- Hidden toll: Thousands of schools fail to count homeless students | The Center for Public Integrity
- Are You a Member of Gen Z Spending Too Much on Your Housing? | NY Times
- The Racists Next Door: Black Homebuyers Face Discrimination After Purchasing, Too | Shelterforce
- The U.S. Needs More Housing Than Almost Anyone Can Imagine | The Atlantic
- [opinion] Have We Been Measuring Housing Inflation All Wrong? | Bloomberg