Housing

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 853: Create Dept. of Housing and Comm. Development.

This bill creates a new cabinet-level Department of Housing and Community Development in North Carolina to consolidate housing and community development functions. The department will be organized into four divisions: Operations, Community Development, Housing, and a Policy and Legislative Office, each with specific duties such as managing broadband expansion, overseeing disaster resilience, and certifying building officials. A nine-member advisory board will be established to guide the department, with members appointed by the Governor and state legislative leaders. Starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the state will allocate $30 million in recurring funds to support the department's operations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a new cabinet-level Department of Housing to consolidate and advance housing functions, indicating strong support.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates broadband expansion within the new department, directly advancing internet access and digital infrastructure.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Broadband Access

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 898: Citizens' Tax Relief Circuit Breaker Mods.

This bill directs $250,000 to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners to fund grants for counties that advertise property tax relief programs. It also modifies the state's homestead circuit breaker program by raising the income eligibility limit to $45,000 for single applicants starting in 2027, with a higher threshold for married couples. Additionally, the law requires counties to report their total tax deferrals to the Secretary of Revenue by September 1 to receive reimbursement for those amounts. These changes take effect for tax years beginning on or after July 1, 2027, and July 1, 2026, respectively.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates funding for tax relief grants and raises income limits for property tax relief, directly supporting lower-income taxpayers.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds property tax relief programs and raises homestead circuit breaker limits, directly assisting homeowners with housing costs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 998: Housing Acceleration Fund.

This bill directs the State Education Assistance Authority to transfer $50 million in unused funds to support affordable housing initiatives in North Carolina. Specifically, $10 million will be given to the Housing Finance Agency to help developers secure low-cost financing for new housing units, while $40 million will go to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund transitional housing programs. The legislation also allows each agency to use up to 3% of their allocated funds for administrative costs. These financial resources are intended to become available for use starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $50M from unused funds to expand affordable and transitional housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $50M to fund affordable housing initiatives and transitional programs, directly advancing the topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 789: Homes for Heroes.

This bill creates two main programs to support public servants in North Carolina. First, it establishes a Homebuyers' Assistance Program for first-time homebuyers who work as teachers, firefighters, police officers, or medical personnel, providing up to $25,000 or 10% of the purchase price for down payments and mortgage insurance. Second, it allows unpaid volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members to claim a state income tax credit of up to $5,000 to cover unreimbursed business expenses related to their rescue work. The down payment assistance program is funded with $200 million in recurring state money and will begin on July 1, 2026, while the tax credit applies to taxable years starting on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits and funding assistance for public servants, directly supporting fiscal management and government employee benefits.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a Homebuyers' Assistance Program providing down payment and mortgage insurance aid to public servants, directly funding housing acquisition.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Homeownership Mortgages

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1195: MOMnibus 3.5.

This bill establishes a grant program within the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to fund community organizations focused on improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. The program provides financial awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to support initiatives that address social determinants of health, such as housing, transportation, nutrition, and access to childcare. Eligible applicants must be community-based groups led by Black women that offer evidence-based services including doula support, mental health care, and culturally respectful training for health workers. The legislation also requires the department to provide technical assistance to grant recipients and submit annual reports on fund usage and program effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a grant program to fund initiatives improving maternal health outcomes for Black women by addressing social determinants of health.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds community initiatives addressing housing as a social determinant of health for Black women.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 999: North Carolina Let Them Build Act.

This bill aims to speed up the approval process for housing projects in North Carolina by simplifying environmental reviews and setting strict deadlines for state agencies. It allows small residential developments in existing zones to skip certain environmental documents and requires state departments to issue decisions within 60 days or face internal review. Additionally, the law creates a streamlined path for duplexes and small multi-family units in residential areas and mandates the creation of public dashboards to track permit processing times. The legislation includes funding for staffing support and explicitly states that it does not override local zoning authority or weaken environmental standards.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill streamlines environmental reviews and sets short timelines, effectively weakening environmental protections and prioritizing construction over conservation.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill streamlines environmental reviews and sets strict 60-day timelines for housing decisions to accelerate residential construction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1118: Workforce Housing Loan Renewal Act.

This bill appropriates $35 million in recurring state funds to the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency for the Workforce Housing Loan Program. The funding is designated to support the program's operations and loans for eligible workforce members seeking affordable housing. These funds will become available starting with the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $35M to fund workforce housing loans, directly increasing state spending on essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill appropriates $35M to fund the Workforce Housing Loan Program, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 10, 2025

HB 313: Madison County/Hurricane Helene/Funds.

HB 313 appropriates $88,395,000 from North Carolina's General Fund to Madison County for hurricane recovery. The bill directly funds specific repairs and rebuilds damaged infrastructure across Marshall and Hot Springs, including the wastewater treatment plant, town halls, housing authority apartments, fire department, community center, libraries, parks, and emergency communication systems, all resulting from Hurricane Helene. Key provisions allocate $25 million for the Marshall Wastewater Plant, $12 million for a new Hot Springs Wastewater Facility, $3 million for temporary department relocations, and $25 million for river and waterway repairs. The funds are designated for nonrecurring use in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, effective July 1, 2025. This is a funding bill with no new policy changes, solely providing targeted financial support for post-hurricane infrastructure restoration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $88M from General Fund for hurricane recovery infrastructure, directly funding essential public services and repairs per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $25M specifically for housing authority apartments repair, directly funding existing affordable housing infrastructure as part of hurricane recovery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 388: DOT Permit Review Time Periods.

SB 388 establishes strict time limits for North Carolina's Department of Transportation (DOT) to review certain permits, including driveway, encroachment, and subdivision permits. It requires the DOT to notify applicants within 10 business days whether an application is complete or incomplete, and if complete, to issue or deny the permit within 30 calendar days. If the DOT misses these deadlines, the permit is automatically approved. This directly affects property owners, contractors, and developers applying for these specific transportation-related permits. The bill aims to streamline the process by creating clear, enforceable timelines.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpedites subdivision permit approvals (key for housing development), reducing delays in new housing construction per bill's 30-day deadline and automatic approval for missed deadlines.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationSets strict DOT permit review deadlines (10/30 days), accelerating infrastructure project approvals and reducing bureaucratic delays in transportation-related construction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Roads & Highways

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in committee · North Carolina · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 181: Tax Relief for Working Families Act.

HB 181 reinstates North Carolina's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for working families with children, providing a state tax credit equal to 5% of the federal EITC amount. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families receive cash payments even if they owe no state tax, directly benefiting low-to-moderate income households struggling with housing, childcare, and basic living costs. It applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and aligns with federal EITC eligibility criteria. The bill reenacts the credit after its prior expiration, creating a concrete policy change to supplement family income.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates refundable EITC at 5% of federal amount, providing direct tax relief to low-to-moderate income families struggling with basic costs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReinstates refundable EITC, providing direct cash payments to low-income families struggling with housing costs, directly advancing affordable housing affordability as stated in bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReinstates refundable EITC, providing direct cash payments to low-income working families for housing, childcare, and basic costs, aligning with federal standards to strengthen financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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