United Way of Central Carolinas Public Policy Committee Affordable Housing and Economic Independence Advocacy Plan
Introduction In 1996, the Public Policy Committee of United Way of Central Carolinas adopted the mission “to move United Way into a leadership role in influencing public policy that impacts health and human services in our region.” For many years after that, the committee was involved in a variety of activities to impact legislation on both the state and local levels. In 2001 – 2002, the Committee evaluated its work and adopted a new mission statement aimed at strengthening its advocacy and visibility in the public arena. The Committee’s mission today is to promote public policies that enhance health and human services in our community through education, advocacy and leadership. In 2003, the UWCC board of directors approved the first in a series of plans to frame its advocacy activities. The first task force focused on affordable housing and economic independence. The intent of the series is to present a more detailed public policy agenda in particular areas of critical community need, providing greater definition for United Way public policy efforts. Issue Advocacy: Affordable Housing and Economic Independence Affordable housing and economic independence are critical, regional issues around which organized public debate is highly visible, creating a window of opportunity for United Way to increase its presence and stimulate regional leadership and coordination. The issues are strongly correlated and are integral to sustainable success in United Way’s community impact areas. Everyday, people living in our region regularly must choose whether to pay their rent, buy food or have prescriptions filled. Requests for assistance with subsistence needs, including food, rent and utilities, continue to be the primary reason for calls to United Way 2-1-1. The current economic climate, particularly high regional unemployment rates only intensify these challenges. Issue Advisory Task Force The Affordable Housing and Economic Independence Issues Advisory Task Force met for three months in 2003 to define an advocacy plan that would increase the capacity for people to obtain safe, appropriate and affordable housing and achieve economic independence. Ensuring inclusion of diverse perspectives was a priority. Committee members and community experts from throughout the region with a range of experiences in the content area comprised the Task Force. Members included housing advocates, corporate lobbyists, United Way member agencies and representatives from the development community as well as the public sector.
Affordable Housing and Economic Independence Advocacy Plan Approved: February 14, 2006
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Goals and Objectives Goal 1—Housing Availability: High quality, well maintained, affordable rental and owned housing is available for individuals and families with low and moderate-level income, including those with incomes below 30 percent of median income, in all areas of the region. Increase state and federal funding for affordable housing: •
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Support the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and the programs it administers, including North Carolina housing tax credits, mortgage down payment program, and state match for federal HOME funds (i.e., funds to participating jurisdictions from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to expand the supply of affordable housing for lowincome families) Support, along with United Way of NC, the identification and allocation of $50 million in annual recurring funding for the NC Housing Trust Fund. Support the expansion of the North Carolina Home Protection pilot program Support federal housing programs, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits and the proposed National Housing Trust Fund and the Community Development Homeownership Tax Credit for developers and investors that build or rehabilitate homes for sale to low-income buyers in targeted communities Raise the U. S. Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) “Allowable Expenditure Limit” to increase maintenance funds for public housing properties Encourage the development of low-interest home loans for the repair and rehabilitation of existing homes
Support local funding, programs and initiatives for affordable housing: • • • • • •
Support the local continuum of care for HUD programs Support recommendations in the City of Charlotte’s 2001 Affordable Housing Strategy Report in five strategic issue areas: regulatory requirements, locational policy, financing, homeownership and economic diversity Explore methods to reduce barriers to obtaining rental housing Support the work of the local Housing Trust Fund and housing bonds in future elections Expand and improve consistency of HouseCharlotte program, designed to increase the supply of affordable housing and provide opportunities for homeownership Modify zoning for development of single room occupancy (SRO) housing
Goal 2—Income: People who are employed have sufficient income to obtain high quality housing in the private market; people who are employed but have insufficient income to obtain high quality housing in the private market have sufficient support and assistance to obtain high quality housing; and people who are not able to work or who are unemployed through no fault of their own have sufficient support and assistance to obtain high quality housing.
Affordable Housing and Economic Independence Advocacy Plan Approved: February 14, 2006
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Strengthen local JobLink systems and other workforce development programs to help people obtain and maintain employment: • Workforce Investment Act, which superceded the Job Training and Partnership Act and promotes increases in employment, job retention, earnings, and occupational skills • Funding for job training programs, including community colleges • Services to help people obtain and maintain employment, including the Child Care Development Block Grant and other child care programs • Reauthorization of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to provide adequate temporary financial assistance and employment transition services to promote economic self-sufficiency Support policies and programs to make employment income sufficient to obtain housing: • • • • • •
Creation of a State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Funding and fair reporting and auditing requirements for federal EITC Family Financial Literacy Coalition tax preparation, EITC and asset-building programs Individual Development Accounts: programs that assists clients in savings and wealth building programs, which improve eligibility for home-buying. Funding for and more favorable formula for allocating Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for North Carolina residents Tax parity for self-employed and non-U.S. citizens
Monitor study and inform people about the relationship between minimum wage, living wage, income and economic independence. Support state unemployment insurance system reforms to provide coverage for a larger proportion of unemployed persons Support reauthorization of the federal Community Development and Social Services Block Grant programs, which provide funding for neighborhood revitalization and social services to states, local governments, community and faith-based organizations
Goal 3—Consumer Protection and Education: People with low and moderate-income have access to conventional banking and credit services and to preventative and supportive services such as financial literacy education and counseling. Home finance and consumer protection laws promote home ownership, reduce home foreclosures and provide protection from predatory lending practices. Support efforts to increase access to conventional financial services and credit for low and moderate-income people Support efforts to improve consumer protection laws, particularly regarding payday lending and other predatory lending practices Support consumer education and awareness efforts: Affordable Housing and Economic Independence Advocacy Plan Approved: February 14, 2006
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Adequate funding for financial literacy and counseling programs Counseling on predatory lending and other consumer protection issues Independent counseling as a prerequisite for high interest loans Mandatory counseling for first-time home buyers
Goal 4—Homelessness: The prevalence, duration and impact of homelessness are reduced and ultimately homelessness is eliminated in our community. Continue to support June 2002 recommendations of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Task Force on Homelessness and regional application where appropriate: • • • • • • •
Bolster corporate, faith community and public sector commitment to expand and leverage financial and volunteer resources Increase the supply of and access to affordable rental housing for individuals and families making 30 percent or less of the median income Fill critical gaps in emergency and transitional housing Step up efforts to empower and enable individuals who are homeless to re-enter and advance in the workforce Increase access to and integration with mainstream behavioral and physical health services Devote more attention and resources to the prevention of homelessness Provide fair and reasonable solutions to addressing fears and concerns of business owners and residents about aggressive panhandling and other obtrusive or criminal behavior carried out by people spending time on the streets, some of whom are homeless
Explore and advocate for a local subsidy to support Section 8-type rental housing Incorporate children aging out of foster care into service plans, including public housing Advocate with the Housing Trust Fund Board to address special needs housing for homeless and very low-income housing candidates Support the Homeless Services Network (HSN), its member programs and the continuum of care for homelessness Actively participate in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness process
Goal 5—Transportation: Adequate public transportation to jobs and services is available for all people who live in low and moderate-income housing. Support zoning and public funding policies that require affordable housing near transit stops Support sufficient funding for public transit systems to enhance range of transportation options to make jobs and services more available for people with low and moderate income Affordable Housing and Economic Independence Advocacy Plan Approved: February 14, 2006
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Goal 6—Planning and coordination: Housing and land development planning ensures and promotes public support for racial and economic integration in housing. • • • •
Establish a regional planning entity to coordinate land planning Revise zoning laws to support mixed-income housing development Eliminate regulatory obstacles to obtaining all types affordable housing Review, update and strengthen the locational policy for placement of affordable housing as reported in the Affordable Housing Strategic Report of 2001
Implementation Strategies Public Policy Committee • Set priorities for timely advocacy consistent with United Way Board approved statements • Keep the United Way Board informed about public policy issues and developments • Review and approve position papers • Involve United Way volunteers in advocacy • Identify, contact, convene and coordinate with potential allies • Make legislative contacts • Manage public education and communication programs • Monitor advocacy actions and results United Way Board • Actively and publicly support the United Way public policy process • Make legislative contacts • Utilize lobbyists and other resources to support advocacy goals United Way Staff • Monitor issues and report to the Public Policy Committee • Draft position papers for consideration by the Public Policy Committee • Implement public education and communication programs, including a public policy web page on the United Way of Central Carolinas website (www.uwcentralcarolinas.org) • Make legislative contacts • Track and report on activities of various entities on a regular basis United Way Agencies • Monitor issues and communicate with staff and committees • Participate in identification of and coordination with potential allies • Assist in development of position papers • Actively participate in public education and communication programs, including involvement of agency staff and board members • Make legislative contacts
Affordable Housing and Economic Independence Advocacy Plan Approved: February 14, 2006
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