NC S826

Transfers $100,000,000 from the Coronavirus Relief Reserve to the Coronavirus Relief Fund for COVID-19 housing and utilities assistance in North Carolina.

Establishes COVID-19 Emergency Housing Rental and Utilities Assistance program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services providing up to $1,000 monthly for up to six months for housing assistance to individuals and families at or below 80% Area Median Income.

Provides utilities assistance of up to $1,000 over six months for those at or below 50% AMI, and up to $500 over six months for those between 51% and 80% AMI, with at least 75% of utilities funds directed to the lowest-income group.

Excludes CARES Act stimulus payments and unemployment insurance benefits from income calculations, eliminates child residency requirements, and removes resource limits for program eligibility.

Effective retroactively to March 1, 2020, and expires December 30, 2020, with unspent funds carried forward to fiscal year 2020-2021.