Federal updates
- S. Representative David Price will not run for re-election after his current term expires at the end of 2022: Democrat David Price will retire after more than 30 years representing NC in Congress | Raleigh N&O.
- Democrats in Congress are still negotiating ways to pare back the Build Back Better Act. In an opinion piece published by The Hill, Diane Yentel and Nan Roman made the case for prioritizing housing: Seizing a once in a lifetime opportunity to end homelessness in the US.
- Of 501 Treasury ERA programs set up by state and local grantees, 56 are now administering ERA2 funds. Some programs have begun to use ERA1 and ERA2 funds concurrently to reach a larger number or to extend the duration of assistance. Programs Begin Using Second Round of Emergency Rental Assistance Funds | NLIHC
- Spending Data Show Four in Ten Emergency Rental Assistance Programs are at Risk of Recapture and Reallocation of Funds | NLIHC
- The Biden-Harris Administration released a government-wide roadmap to build a climate-resilient U.S. economy. The roadmap includes efforts to enhance federal underwriting and lending standards to better address climate-induced financial risks, while ensuring the safety and security of communities most impacted by climate change. The roadmap also highlights FEMA’s effort to update its National Flood Insurance Program standards to help communities align construction and land-use practices with the latest data on flood risk.
North Carolina updates
- NC House and Senate leaders continue to negotiate over what to include in a budget counter-proposal to the governor. Lawmakers hope to work out an agreement in the coming days and weeks.
- Governor Cooper signed HB 951, the state’s new energy bill into law last week: NC’s energy bill now law, calls for major carbon reductions | WRAL
- The signing of the state’s new energy bill could help create momentum for budget negotiations: NC’s governor signs major energy bill, laying the groundwork for a budget compromise | Raleigh N&O
- Most towns and cities in North Carolina are conducting municipal elections this fall. Find information specific to where you live on the NC State Board of Elections website and don’t forget to vote!
Reports/Events
- UNC School of Government is hosting a free six-day virtual course to help local governments understand the complexities of the American Rescue Plan Act from Wednesday, Oct. 13 through Wednesday, Oct. 28. Registration is required to attend and will continue following the start of the course.
- UNC School of Government offers weekly American Rescue Plan (ARP) Office Hours. Join to ask questions about ARP/ARPA Funds. FREE and you do not need to pre-register. Find dates and links to join at the bottom of this page.
- National Land Bank Network is hosting a Virtual Summit on Wednesday, Nov. 3 from 11:45 AM – 4:30 PM.
- Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies is hosting a virtual event this Thursday: Zoning and Equity. Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 12:00-1:00 pm ET
- The Urban Land Institute Terwilliger Center for Housing invites housing practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to complete this 25-30 minute survey as part of a research project on policy approaches to improving resident stability and the tenant-landlord framework.
- Earlier this fall, HUD released its Worst Case Housing Needs 2021 Report To Congress. The report found that during the 2017-to-2019 period, an easing of competition for affordable units and households moving toward homeownership prevented a steep rise in worse case needs.
- Congress Should Balance Vouchers and Development of Less-Expensive Housing in Recovery Legislation | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- Can Biden Deliver on His Promise to Expand Housing Vouchers? | CityLab
- Mass Evictions Didn’t Result After U.S. Ban Ended, Despite Fears | Wall Street Journal
- As Rents Rise, So Do Pressures on People at Risk of Eviction | NY Times
- Housing Shortage And Surging Rents Take A Toll On Black Households | Black Enterprise
- This Year, Half As Many Metro Areas Are Affordable To Low-Income Homebuyers As Last Year | Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
