NC HOUSING UPDATES...

Settling back into work after taking some time off is always difficult, but at least the heat keeps me from wishing I was outside! I was glad to see some rain finally come our way, and hopefully more is in store to avert another drought.

This week, I will be presenting to the Triangle J Council of Governments, Council on Aging group, as Triangle J prepares to apply for a HUD Sustainable Communities Grant. Next week, I will be in Asheville to present to the Just Economics grassroots leadership class on the housing and financial challenges currently facing our economy.

NC Legislative News
Our state legislators returned to their home districts after several long days during the final stretch of the 2010 session. While many of the structural budget problems were left for next year’s Assembly, we're happy to report that several key housing-related pieces of legislation passed.

SB1015, The Homeowner and Homebuyer Protection Act, passed on the final day in a slightly weaker fashion than originally introduced. Working in coalition with other advocacy groups such as the NC Justice Center and the Center for Responsible Lending, we were able to fight off several attempts to water down the bill.

SB 1216 also passed and will extend and expand the State Foreclosure Prevention Program that is administered by the Commissioner of Banks office. This bill extends the program through 2013 and opens it to all types of home loans, not just subprime. See below for more details on these two bills.

Because of the hard work of Carley and our lobbyists at the Policy Group, no legislation passed that adversely affected affordable housing or impacted property tax assessments on LIHTC developments. Thanks to Steve Metcalf and his team at the Policy Group and to Carley Ruff for their great work at the General Assembly.

NC 2010 Affordable Housing Conference – Sept. 16-17th, Raleigh
Thanks to all of you who have already registered for this year’s Annual Affordable Housing Conference. The Conference is several weeks earlier this year so be sure and register now to get the lower registration rates. Together with CICCAR and NCHFA, we’ll again be hosting the conference at the Raleigh Convention Center on September 16-17th. Click here for all the information and to register.

Each year at our Annual Conference, we recognize those individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to advocate for affordable housing. We are asking for nominees for our Volunteer and Professional of the Year Awards. Winners will be recognized at the Coalition’s luncheon on the second day. Please nominate someone you think deserving. Click here for more details.

NC Housing News
Next week, on July 27th, we’re happy to partner with NC Legal Aid to offering a Fair Housing and Reasonable Accommodations/Modifications Workshop in Greensboro. Click here for the details and to register.

Thanks again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Chris Estes
Executive Director