One of our ongoing goals at NCHC is to promote energy efficiency measures that reduce utility costs, preserve and improve NC's affordable housing stock, and reduce carbon emissions. That's why we are a member of the NC SAVE$ Energy Coalition. NC SAVE$ Energy (HB 1050) is a proposal by consumer, social justice, housing, and environmental groups to create an independent (non-utility) energy efficiency program for North Carolina. As introduced in the North Carolina House, this bill will enable residents all over the state to participate the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency. Programs could include weatherizing homes, appliance upgrades, and efficiency technology such as timers for lights and a/c and other cost-effective activities. For more information, visit www.ncsavesenergy.org and check out NC SAVE$ Energy's new video.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
What Wall Street Reform Means for Housing...
On July 21, 2010 President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, sweeping legislation that covers a broad range of financial and housing policy issues. The Act contains several key provisions of importance to homeless and low income Americans.
•The law extends the expiration date for the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA) from the end of 2012 to the end of 2014. PTFA ensures that tenants living in foreclosed properties can remain in their housing for as long as possible after the property owner / landlord is foreclosed upon and a new party takes ownership of the property. The Law Center hopes to make PTFA permanent, but is extremely pleased in the short term to see it extended.
•The law also clarifies an ambiguous provision of PTFA, explaining that the date of a "notice of foreclosure" means the date on which title to a property is transferred by a court order or through a non-judicial foreclosure process. Since in many cases tenants can only use PTFA to remain in their homes for 90 days after a notice of foreclosure, it was important to clarify that earlier notices to tenants did not start the 90 day clock after which a tenant would have to move. The Law Center anticipates that this provision will help keep tenants in their homes for longer periods of time, but will continue to monitor implementation of the law, to ensure that it is being vigorously enforced.
•In addition, the law provides $1 billion in new funding under HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), a program that sends money to help rebuild housing in blighted communities. This new funding includes an ongoing requirement that 25% of NSP funds be used to benefit low income people.
•The law creates an Emergency Homeowners' Relief Fund at HUD, designed to provide temporary mortgage assistance to homeowners, to help avoid foreclosures. This program is funded at $1 billion.
•And finally, the bill sets up a HUD program to fund civil legal services to prevent foreclosure among homeowners and eviction of tenants in foreclosed properties. Unfortunately, the law does not provide money for this new program, meaning that it will not get off the ground until funds are appropriated by Congress.
•The law extends the expiration date for the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA) from the end of 2012 to the end of 2014. PTFA ensures that tenants living in foreclosed properties can remain in their housing for as long as possible after the property owner / landlord is foreclosed upon and a new party takes ownership of the property. The Law Center hopes to make PTFA permanent, but is extremely pleased in the short term to see it extended.
•The law also clarifies an ambiguous provision of PTFA, explaining that the date of a "notice of foreclosure" means the date on which title to a property is transferred by a court order or through a non-judicial foreclosure process. Since in many cases tenants can only use PTFA to remain in their homes for 90 days after a notice of foreclosure, it was important to clarify that earlier notices to tenants did not start the 90 day clock after which a tenant would have to move. The Law Center anticipates that this provision will help keep tenants in their homes for longer periods of time, but will continue to monitor implementation of the law, to ensure that it is being vigorously enforced.
•In addition, the law provides $1 billion in new funding under HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), a program that sends money to help rebuild housing in blighted communities. This new funding includes an ongoing requirement that 25% of NSP funds be used to benefit low income people.
•The law creates an Emergency Homeowners' Relief Fund at HUD, designed to provide temporary mortgage assistance to homeowners, to help avoid foreclosures. This program is funded at $1 billion.
•And finally, the bill sets up a HUD program to fund civil legal services to prevent foreclosure among homeowners and eviction of tenants in foreclosed properties. Unfortunately, the law does not provide money for this new program, meaning that it will not get off the ground until funds are appropriated by Congress.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)