NC H1134

Appropriates $100,000,000 from the Coronavirus Relief Reserve to the Home Protection Program Fund for mortgage assistance to individuals affected by COVID-19 pandemic job loss.

Establishes eligibility criteria for the Home Protection Program: property owners experiencing job loss from COVID-19, currently enrolled in state unemployment programs, and household income not exceeding 350% of federal poverty level.

Provides direct mortgage assistance payments up to $40,000 per eligible participant as a 10-year zero-interest loan, with balance forgiven after 10 years unless property is sold for profit, in which case participant repays up to the profit amount.

Establishes the Emergency Housing Office within the Division of Social Services to collect data on homelessness, coordinate emergency housing resources, and provide referrals to nonprofit assistance organizations.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit semiannual reports to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on homelessness data broken down by region, county, and city, plus summaries of service demand and legislative recommendations.