NC H1906

Department of Commerce shall work with regional councils of government to establish Regional Economic Recovery Housing Alliances in three geographic regions (mountains, central, and coastal) of North Carolina.

Regional councils shall convene alliances bringing together local governments, homebuilders, real estate professionals, banks, mortgage lenders, economic developers, nonprofit organizations, housing counselors, chambers of commerce, and employers.

Councils of government shall make pilot grants to eligible local governments in each of the three regions based on proposed work plans to carry out alliance activities.

Alliances may organize housing-related economic stimulus projects including putting construction workers back to work, preventing foreclosures, preparing families for homeownership, assembling financing for affordable housing, and promoting sound regional growth.

Alliances shall leverage existing federal programs (EDA, HOME, CDBG, Weatherization) and state programs from the Housing Finance Agency, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Rural Economic Development Center, and Department of Commerce.