June 11, 2020
Amid news of more than 1.5 million new jobless claimants in the United States this week filing for unemployment assistance, and word that 20 or more States, including North Carolina, are experiencing a new spike in COVID-19 cases, North Carolina legislative leaders are responding with legislation that will provide emergency grant assistance to keep people in their homes, with foreclosure, rental assistance and help with utility bills.
House Bill 1200, introduced and led by House Republican Conference Chair John Szoka, a State Representative from Fayetteville, Cumberland County, would provide $200 million in funding to the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency to implement programs to assist individuals facing foreclosure or eviction and needing assistance making utility payments due to financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
We support and encourage North Carolina legislators to enact this legislation to empower the NCHFA to provide these emergency grants and assistance to homeowners and renters adversely impacted by the pandemic and the economic fallout and job losses.
We are also monitoring and we support passage of House Bill 1208 which would provide an additional $20 million in funding for the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency for the Workforce Housing Loan Program. If this legislation is passed, the Loan Program funds appropriated would be allocated during the 2020 housing credit award cycle. These funds are vital to supporting and increasing the number of affordable rental workforce housing units available to low and moderate income individuals and families in North Carolina. This bill is sponsored by Representative Donny Lambeth, R-District 75, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, and may be on the legislative calendar this week.
