NCHC Organizational Updates
- Registered attendees can now view the recordings of each session by going to the Bringing It Home conference desktop page or mobile app and selecting the session on the agenda. Recordings will be available until August 3, 2023.
- We’re changing Policy Updates by including them in our weekly Housing Call notes rather than as a separate biweekly blog. Have ideas for resources or pieces that would be helpful for your work? Send them our way! Email swatkinscruz@nchousing.org or apatterson@nchousing.org
Federal Update
Debt Ceiling – President Biden and Speaker McCarthy struck a debt limit deal over the weekend that lifts the debt ceiling through January 2025. Leaders hope to have it pass the House floor on Wednesday, to be able to work through it by the June 5 deadline given by U.S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
Other elements of the deal include:
- The agreement calls for capping FY24 spending at FY23 levels and a 1% increase in FY25 spending. It aims to limit federal budget growth to 1% for the next six years but that would not be enforceable until 2025.
- It would reduce government spending by an estimated $1 trillion.
- The bill matches Biden’s proposed defense budget of $886 billion and allots $704 billion for nondefense spending.
- It requires Congress to approve 12 annual spending bills or face a snapback to spending limits from the previous year which would mean a 1% cut.
- It fully funds medical care for veterans at the levels included in Biden’s proposed 2024 budget blueprint.
- The deal includes increased work requirements for SNAP and TANF programs.
- The bill would bring the maximum age from 49 to 54 by 2025.
- It would be slightly harder for states to waive work requirements for SNAP for certain individuals by lowering the number of exemptions that a state can issue and curb states’ ability to carry over the number from month to month.
- The agreement would clawback about $30 billion in unspent coronavirus relief money – unobligated money from dozens of federal programs that received aid during the pandemic including rental assistance, small business loans and broadband for rural areas. Critical Emergency Housing Vouchers and Emergency Rental Assistance funds have been spared.
- The agreement protects pandemic funding for veterans’ medical care, and housing assistance.
- Ends the pause on student loan repayment, which is anticipated to happen in late August of this year.
Because of inflation, higher rents, interest rate hikes, and capping of the federal budget, this freeze acts as a significant cut to affordable housing and homelessness assistance.
- In FY24 alone, HUD needs about $13-$16 billion in additional funding just to maintain current levels of assistance. Without this additional funding, tens of thousands of households will be at risk of losing rental assistance.
Read the following statement from NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel on the Debt Ceiling Agreement.
State Updates
We will be at the general assembly this week to talk about housing investments in the NC FY23-25 – more to come on these meetings and budget talks as well as the bills that are still live and active that we’re tracking in the coming weeks.
- Check out a piece we published on our website last week – Overview of Key Housing Appropriations in NC and Why They Matter. We’ll be releasing a downloadable version of the chart in this piece soon.
- Check out our bill tracker here and our gallery of bills that survived crossover here. Reach out to us if you have any questions.
- Remember that bills that made crossover are still live AND elements from other bills that did not make crossover still could make it into other bills and ultimately whatever final form of the budget for FY 23-25 that is reached.
You can find a full list of the bills that made crossover (not only the ones we are tracking) by clicking here.
Local Community Updates
- Mountain Housing Opportunities acquires 75 units of special needs housing. This event marks an expansion in its portfolio serving residents o fWestern North Carolina. MHO was able to acquire and preserve 75 units of special needs housing scattered across 20 properties in Buncombe County. These properties serve as homes for about 90 residents with varying intellectual and developmental disabilities, severe and persistent mental illness, and other special needs.
- Asheville housing authority announces new CEO; What are future plans for public housing? In April the Housing Authority of Asheville welcomed Monique Pierre in a planned transition to precede former CEO David Nash, who will retire on June 30. Pierre is the first woman and first African American woman to lead the housing authority since it was founded in 1940. Pierre has said she will focus on building relationships and exploring partnerships and that her first goal is “to improve and stabilize the housing stock that’s currently in our hands.” The agency administers 3,350 Federal HCV which includes 1,525 project-based vouchers located in the 10 housing authority communities around the City of Asheville. It is the largest housing agency in Western North Carolina and serves over 6,500 people.
- New zoning will begin in Charlotte this week. When the new Unified Development Ordinance takes effect on Thursday, June 1, duplexes and triplexes can be built by-right on any property zoned for single family housing. The city expects that this zoning will allow for greater density and thus increase affordability.
- Weavers Grove Celebrates the Start of Construction for New Community – Chapelboro.com. A project about 20 years in the making is set to start construction. A recent celebration took place at Weavers Grove, the future site of 102 Habitat for Humanity Homes. Weavers Grove is set to be a mixed-income community offering affordable homeownership to Habitat families and to market-rate homebuyers. Of the 237 single family homes, townhomes, duplexes, and condominiums, 101 will be Habitat homes owned by people who live or work in Orange County. The remaining market-rate homes will offer new opportunities for Chapel HIll homebuyers at price ranges lower than today’s median home price. This project is one of few in the nation for Habitat, setting a “new precedent for mixed-income living” and coming in at about $30 million.
At a city council work session last Thursday, the non-profit Housing for New Hope (HNH) asked the city for over $3 million dollars for a $6 million dollar project they hope to pursue that would preserve and develop over 100 residences. By acquiring 531 E Carver Street, Housing for New Hope would be able to develop and preserve 100-120 units of supporting units. This location which is next to another HNH property would accommodate 45 of the new units and allow for the current tenants to remain housed. The commissioners’ commitment is contingent on the City Council’s official approval of the project.
- Can’t afford an attorney? Need help from civil court? New Wake center wants to help. The new Wake County Legal Support Center, which opened in January of this year, is already proving to be a significant help for families and individuals with low incomes and keeping their housing or navigating related civil legal issues. A result of a partnership between the Tenth Judicial District Bar, Wake County and Raleigh officials, the Administrative Office of Courts, and others to open the center. Wake County committed $290,000 annually for three years, and other organizations have provided various other forms of assistance like computers, other grants, and additional assistance.
- The Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA) recently received a $40K grant from the SECU Foundation. The grant is intended to expand the organization’s capacity to address affordable housing needs in Northampton, Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, and Martin counties.The Funding will be used to conduct a comprehensive community housing needs assessment
Events
- [in-person] Foothills Community Housing Fair | Hickory NAACP Equity and Inclusion Task Force. 6/3, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ridgeview Recreation Center (Hickory)
- NC Women’s Affordable Housing Network (NCWAHN) Happy Hour | 6/6 in Charlotte, more details to come!
- [webinar] The State of the Nation’s Housing 2023 | Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 6/21, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Reports & Resources
- [report] The State of Statewide Tenant Protections | NLIHC
- [journal article] Subsidized Housing Improves Adulthood Outcomes for Teenage Recipients | American Economics Journal
In the News
- Growing pains: Housing opportunities in growing eastern Wake County remain limited | Restoration NewsMedia
- As tax credits expire, number of affordable housing units drops 8% | Yahoo Finance
- Home value racial disparities top $1 million in LA, NYC, San Francisco | Bloomberg
- Lessons from a renters’ utopia | The New York Times
- Housing construction looks positive despite recession projections | HousingWire
- Tenants shut down Brooklyn Bridge to protest predatory landlords | VICE
FAQs
Does North Carolina have Housing assistance? ›
Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
To apply for either type of help, visit your local Public Housing Agency (PHA). Some PHAs have long waiting lists, so you may want to apply at more than one PHA. Your PHA can also give you a list of locations at which your voucher can be used.
NCHousingSearch.org is an independent bilingual service that provides detailed information about apartments and homes for rent in your area and throughout the state. If you have a Section 8 voucher, you can find available apartments in your area at the Public Housing Authorities of North Carolina.
What is the Housing issues in North Carolina? ›Facing a shortage of 195,661 affordable and available rental homes, 69% of North Carolina's ELI renters spend more than half of their income on rent and utilities. The result is housing instability, evictions, and in the worst cases, homelessness.
What is the Housing insecurity in North Carolina? ›Housing instability is a prominent issue facing many North Carolina residents. About 348,000 renter households in North Carolina are at an extremely low-income level and 69 percent of these households have severe housing cost burdens, according to data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
How to get emergency housing assistance North Carolina? ›NC Emergency Solutions Grant
If you are an individual or family in need of housing assistance due to homelessness please contact the NC United Way by calling 2-1-1 or visit their website NC211.
The NC Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program is reopening applications soon. The HOPE Program provides rent and utility bill assistance to renters who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The HOPE Program has been updated since the first open application period.
How long is the waiting list for public housing in North Carolina? ›'It's discouraging': Thousands waiting years for public housing assistance in North Carolina. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found the average person is waiting around three years for a housing unit in Durham.
How do you qualify for affordable housing in NC? ›Eligibility is determined by your local public housing agency. Your family's income must be 50% or less of the median income for your county. Public housing agencies are required to distribute 75% of vouchers to applicants whose income is less than 30% of the median county income.
What city in North Carolina has affordable housing? ›| Rank | City Name | Avg Rent (1 Bedroom) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamlet | $495 |
| 2 | Eden | $685 |
| 3 | Tarboro | $675 |
| 4 | Fayetteville | $1000 |
North Carolina housing market predictions
Many economists and experts are predicting a housing slowdown nationally. North Carolina seems to be pacing with that trend, with home sales slowing: 15.4 percent fewer homes were sold in February than a year previous, per Redfin.
Has the housing market slowed down in NC? ›
North Carolina housing market overview
While that sounds high, it's down 24.6 points since this time last year, and the overall number of homes sold is down by 15.4 percent year-over-year.
- California, 978,000.
- Texas, 322,000.
- Florida, 289,000.
- New York, 234,000.
- Washington, 140,000.
- New Jersey, 137,000.
- Colorado, 127,000.
- Arizona, 123,000.
The largest numbers of homeless individuals in North Carolina live in the urban centers, reflecting general patterns of population density: Mecklenburg (2,418), Wake (1,098), Guilford (949), and Durham (759).
What is the income limit for affordable housing in NC? ›Eligibility for the North Carolina Section 8 program depends largely on income. In this case, low-income means less than 30% of the state median income. Based on the latest information available, the median income for a family of four in North Carolina is $72,830. That means the eligibility cut-off is around $21,800.
Why is NC housing so expensive? ›North Carolina is struggling to keep housing affordable. The state's population growth now exceeds the production of housing. The result has been rising housing prices and economic strain for North Carolinians. Since 2010, the price of a house has increased by 31.5 percent, while rents have risen by 14.6 percent.
What is rapid rehousing NC? ›Rapid Rehousing Program
The supportive services in this program are designed to transition residents to self-sufficiency within two years.
Find local shelters: The majority of cities have shelters that offer temporary housing and support to those in need. Contact an emergency number: There are a variety of local and national helplines to provide assistance and support for people in need.
How much is cash assistance in NC? ›How much is a Work First check in NC largely depends upon your family's income and size. North Carolina pays a maximum of $272 a month to a family of three with little or no income.
How many months does NC HOPE program pay for? ›Assisted housing applicants are eligible for up to 15 months of total back-owed rental assistance. Per federal guidance, these applicants are not eligible for future rent payments.
Where can I find assistance in North Carolina to help me pay rent and heat? ›Visit https://nc211.org/ to find other resources in your area. Select “housing/shelter” from the category search OR type the following terms into the search bar: “rent assistance” “rent help.”
How long does it take to get approved for the HOPE program in NC? ›
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It took some growing pains, but the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency reports its HOPE Program is now awarding rent and utility payments to vulnerable families "lightning fast," meaning in a matter of just 20 to 25 days.
How long does it take to get approved for Section 8 in NC? ›The waiting list for a Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher is 4-7 years long.
How much is a Section 8 voucher for a 2 bedroom in NC? ›| Number of Person(s) in HH | Voucher Size | Payment Standard |
|---|---|---|
| HH & 1-2 children, other | 2 Bedroom | $1553 |
| HH & 3-4 children, other | 3 Bedroom | $1906 |
| HH & 5-6 children, other | 4 Bedroom | $2407 |
| HH & 7-8 children, other | 5 Bedroom | $2637 |
Waiting lists open periodically. Complete application online. You will be notified of whether or not you have been placed on the waiting list. Your wait time (an average of 24 months) depends upon voucher availability and your compliance with the eligibility process.
What is the most Section 8 will pay? ›The maximum housing assistance is generally the lesser of the payment standard minus 30% of the family's monthly adjusted income or the gross rent for the unit minus 30% of monthly adjusted income.
What's the most you can make on Section 8? ›| Number of Persons | Extremely Low Income 30% of Median | Low Income 80% of Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $25,050 | $66,750 |
| 2 | $28,600 | $76,250 |
| 3 | $32,200 | $85,800 |
| 4 | $35,750 | $95,300 |
You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for housing assistance: be 16 years or older. be in Australia legally, and not subject to any time limit imposed by law to stay in the country. be residents of the ACT six months before lodging the application.
Which Carolina is cheapest to live? ›- Eden.
- Laurinburg.
- Lumberton.
- Rockingham.
- Roanoke Rapids.
- Tarboro.
- Henderson.
- Mount Airy.
| State | Poorest City | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | Goldsboro | 26.1% |
| North Dakota | Grand Forks | 18.5% |
| Ohio | Youngstown | 35.2% |
| Oklahoma | Muskogee | 24.6% |
Cost of Living
This is slightly below the national average and makes both states highly affordable. However, with home prices middling close to $181k, South Carolina's housing market is marginally cheaper than North Carolina's. This gives South Carolina a hairline win in terms of affordability.
Will home prices drop in 2023 in NC? ›
Home values are predicted to increase in 2023, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years. Overall, it appears that the North Carolina housing market is expected to remain robust in 2023 and 2024, with most regions experiencing moderate to strong growth in housing prices.
What experts are saying about the 2023 housing market? ›Will homes continue to remain financially out of reach for many purchasers next year? Experts say hopeful buyers should not expect today's high prices to plummet anytime soon. “Home prices won't drop in 2023,” Evangelou says. “I expect pricing to be relatively flat.”
Will houses get cheaper in a recession? ›Key takeaways
Mortgage rates typically drop during a traditional recession. Home prices can drop as well, with fewer qualified buyers and less competition for homes.
While a housing price correction is expected, we aren't in a housing bubble. Demand for homes remains high, and there are fewer home sellers than there were in 2022. And while the market is cooling, experts don't expect an actual housing crash or a housing bubble burst in 2023.
Is the US headed for a housing crisis in 2023? ›Most experts do not expect a housing market crash in 2023 since many homeowners have built up significant equity in their homes. The issue is primarily an affordability crisis. High interest rates and inflated home values have made purchasing a home challenging for first-time homebuyers.
What state has the most unaffordable housing? ›According to worldpopulationreview.com, Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with its housing costing three times the national average. New York and California rank as the second and third most expensive states in which to live, respectively.
What are the top 3 states for homelessness? ›California, Vermont, and Oregon have the highest rates of homelessness across the 50 states. About 582,000 Americans are experiencing homelessness, according to 2022 Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) data.
Which state is number one in homelessness? ›California, New York, Florida and Washington had the most homeless people in 2022, according to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report. The four states accounted for more than half of the nation's homeless population, with 30% of the total living in California alone.
Who qualifies as a first time home buyer in NC? ›NCHFA NC Home Advantage Mortgage
A first-time homebuyer is considered someone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years. The program offers a fixed-rate mortgage — either a conventional, FHA, VA or USDA loan — and up to 5 percent of assistance toward the down payment (3 percent for a conventional loan).
What is the max of income to spend on housing? ›
As a general rule, you shouldn't spend more than about 33% of your monthly gross income on housing. If you choose to spend over that amount on your mortgage each month, you run the risk of becoming what's known as house poor, which is when you spend a large portion of your monthly income on your home.
What is the income limit for first time home buyer in NC? ›FHA loans allow borrowers with at least a 580 credit score to put down as little as 3.5% (or 10% if your credit score falls between 579 and 500). The program has no maximum income limits, but does limit the price of the house you plan to buy.
Is it cheaper to live in Florida or North Carolina? ›North Carolina is the 19th lowest-cost state in the country, meaning there are 32 states (including the District of Columbia) more expensive than North Carolina. Among nearby states, Virginia, Florida and Georgia are more expensive, while South Carolina and Tennessee are less expensive (although only slightly).
Is it hard to rent a house in North Carolina? ›North Carolina is one of the least accommodating states in the country for renters, according to a new study by the apartment search website RENTCafé. The report analyzed landlord-tenant laws in all fifty states and the District of Columbia and then ranked states based on those criteria.
Is there a housing crisis in NC? ›North Carolina, like much of the rest of the country, faces a crisis in housing affordability. This has been an issue that the state's most urbanized areas have been facing and addressing for years, but finding affordable places to live is increasingly a problem in communities of all sizes.
Who qualifies for housing assistance in NC? ›Eligibility is determined by your local public housing agency. Your family's income must be 50% or less of the median income for your county. Public housing agencies are required to distribute 75% of vouchers to applicants whose income is less than 30% of the median county income.
What is considered low income in NC? ›Earning less than 50% of the area median income classifies someone as very low income, which is $30,258 for a two-person household or a single person earning $17,104.50 or less annually.
Does NC give cash assistance? ›North Carolina's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, called Work First (WF), is based on the premise that parents have a responsibility to support themselves and their children.
What is the HCV program in NC? ›The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing for eligible families regardless of race, religion or political affiliation in the private market.
How long is the waiting list for Section 8 in Raleigh NC? ›Do you have a waiting list and how long is the waiting list? Yes. The waiting list for a Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher is 4-7 years long. The waiting list for Public Housing fluctuates due to purging of applications.
What is the income limit for food stamps in North Carolina? ›
| HOUSEHOLD SIZE | 130% MAXIMUM GROSS INCOME LIMIT | 200% MAXIMUM GROSS INCOME LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,473 | $2,266 |
| 2 | $1,984 | $3,052 |
| 3 | $2,495 | $3,840 |
| 4 | $3,007 | $4,626 |
| 1 ADULT | 2 ADULTS (BOTH WORKING) | |
|---|---|---|
| 0 Children | 1 Child | |
| Living Wage | $16.83 | $19.81 |
| Poverty Wage | $6.53 | $5.54 |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25 | $7.25 |
By the numbers: The latest five-year figures from the 2016-2020 American Community Survey reveal 14% of North Carolina residents earned incomes below the federal poverty line ($12,760 for a single person in 2020).
What is EBT cash in NC? ›Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that replaced paper food stamp coupons with a card that is like a credit or bank card. North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) recipients use EBT cards to access FNS benefits.
What is general assistance in NC? ›The Davie County General Assistance Program provides temporary financial assistance in emergency situations. This program is completely funded by the county who determines how the money is to be used.
Who has the largest Section 8 housing in the US? ›New York Housing Authority: 90,000 Vouchers: NYCHA administers the largest Section 8 program in the country. Approximately 90,000 Section 8 vouchers and over 29,000 owners currently participate in the program.