The North Carolina legislature is considering three housing-focused bills that enjoy bipartisan support. These measures address affordable housing and flood prevention — and advocates are urging constituents to contact their representatives to demonstrate support before budget negotiations conclude.
HB 369: Anti-Flooding and Cost-Reduction Bill
This legislation tackles flooding caused by impervious surfaces — artificial coverings like parking lots and buildings that prevent water absorption. Current state law permits municipalities to require updated stormwater infrastructure only for new construction, not existing developments undergoing redevelopment.
The bill would allow cities to modernize stormwater systems during redevelopment projects. Additionally, it reduces unnecessary parking requirements that increase housing costs and contribute to stormwater runoff.
Primary Sponsors: Representatives Loftis (R-109, Gaston), Brody (R-55, Anson, Union), Penny (R-53, Harnett, Johnston), and Dahle (D-11, Wake)
HB 1072: For-Sale Affordable Housing Fund
This measure creates a $50 million revolving loan fund to reduce housing costs. Eligible applicants — currently primarily Habitat for Humanity — can access below-market interest rates for land acquisition, design costs, and infrastructure development (excluding construction expenses).
The fund’s structure enables sustainability: borrowers repay loans with interest, “refilling” the pool for future affordable housing projects across multiple funding cycles.
Primary Sponsors: Representatives Bell (R-10, Wayne), Reives (D-54, Chatham, Randolph), Humphrey (R-12, Greene, Jones, Lenoir), and Cunningham (UNA-106, Mecklenburg)
HB 1118: Workforce Housing Loan Program Investment
Most affordable rental housing in North Carolina depends on the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. However, the state’s complementary Workforce Housing Loan Program — which helps projects cover remaining financing gaps — currently lacks stable, recurring funding.
This bill allocates $35 million as recurring funding to the program, providing predictability for developers and communities planning affordable housing projects. The recurring structure ensures consistent availability rather than relying on one-time appropriations that disappear during budget delays.
Primary Sponsors: Representatives Chesser (R-25, Nash), Schietzelt (R-35, Wake), Willingham (D-23, Bertie, Edgecombe, Martin), and Buansi (D-56, Orange)
Residents can contact their legislators at ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators to express support for all three bills before budget negotiations conclude.
