Charlotte’s Community Recovery Task Force on Housing – Regulatory/Legislative Update

On July 23, 2020, the Regulatory/Legislative Focus Team of the Task Force presented its recommendations on July 23, 2020.  They included the following considerations:

1. Zoning Ordinance Accommodations
2. Development Fees and Approval Procedures
3. New Housing Ordinances and Legislation- Source of Income Discrimination, Housing Re-Entry for Criminal Backgrounds
4. Housing Policy Actualization

Development Fees and Approval Procedures

1. Implement a fee reduction of at least 50% on all Plan Review/Approval and Permit fees for small projects (5-20 units) which include at least 30% of units targeting 80% AMI and below.
2. Examine the Project Approval process with the aim to implement a short cut (Express Lane) approval process, including rezonings, for Affordable Housing Projects to not only speed up the process, but also reduce the number of steps required for approval.

New Ordinances & Legislation - Source of Income Discrimination

1. Seek legislative authority from the State to include Source of Income Discrimination legislation in the City of Charlotte Code of Ordinances and make it an ongoing top legislative priority for the City. Proposed Ordinance was provided in briefing materials.
2. Notwithstanding the granting of separate legislative authority, affirm in all City Policy relating to granting of City funds for use in development, capital improvement, leased or transfer of land or real property, tax deferments, financial incentives and/or any other favorable monetary considerations relating to or in connection with the provision of housing that recipients of those funds agree not to discriminate against or reject applicants based on the legal source of income they present.

New Ordinances & Legislation – Housing ReEntry

1. Seek legislative authority from the State to include Equitable Access to Rental Housing legislation in the City of Charlotte Code of Ordinances and make it an ongoing top legislative priority for the City. Proposed Equitable Access to Rental Housing Ordinance was provided in briefing materials.
2. Notwithstanding the granting of separate legislative authority, affirm in all City Policy relating to granting of City funds for use in development, capital improvement, leased or transfer of land or real property, tax deferments, financial incentives and/or any other favorable monetary considerations relating to or in connection with the provision of housing that recipients of those funds agree not to discriminate against or reject applicants based on criminal backgrounds in violation of the proposed Equitable Access to Rental Housing Ordinance.

Housing Policy Actualization

Includes implementing an Affordable ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Housing Program in partnership with a private and a non-profit entity with experience in affordable housing rental and wrap around services to manage permitting, financing, construction and tenant management and:

• Set up the program to provide a financing loan for construction, and the unit would be leased from the homeowner by the entity, and

• Supplement the program to support 80% AMI and below homeowners living in lower-income, rapidly gentrifying areas, and High Opportunity areas of the city to support upward economic mobility for both tenant and owner.

The Task Force has ended.  The next step involves these, and other focus area recommendations being further discussed at the City Council’s Great Neighborhoods Committee.