Affordable Housing Programs for North Carolina Home Buyers Preservation and construction of affordable housing in North Carolina has many challenges today. Lack of affordable housing near employment centers results in long commute times, air pollution, reduced worker productivity, overcrowded streets and highways. Mass unemployment and rising cost have exhausted low-income individuals and families in recent years. People with very low income need help, this includes first-time buyers, low-wage workers, elderly homeowners, disabled renters and homeless people. While unrelenting budget pressures doubtless will limit policy choices, it would be foolish to abandon admittedly important housing problems now if long-range forecasts show a need for more affordable housing. If you are a first time home buyer and your income level has kept you out of the housing market, you may qualify for one of the low income home buyer programs. If you meet certain income requirements, which vary from program to program, you may be eligible for home buyer assistance. A low interest rate mortgage or down payment assistance program may be available through participating lenders to qualify first time home buyers. Second mortgages or forgivable loans are other alternatives eligible for home buyers who apply through local non-profit or government agencies.

North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA ) is a self-supporting public agency. The Agency’s mission is to create affordable housing opportunities for North Carolinians whose needs are not met by the market. NCHFA provides financing through the sale of tax-exempt bonds and management of federal and state tax credit programs, the federal HOME Program, the state Housing Trust Fund, and other programs.

NCHFA offers information and resources for low-cost mortgages and downpayment assistance for first-time home buyers. NCHFA also finances the rehabilitation of substandard owner-occupied homes and the development of housing for people with special needs. NCHFA strives to improve lives and communities in North Carolina.

The Arc of North Carolina
The Arc of North Carolina has been providing advocacy and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1953. The Arc believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have strengths, abilities and inherent value; are equal before the law; and must be treated with dignity and respect.

The Arc of North Carolina has been providing advocacy and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1953. The Arc believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have strengths, abilities and inherent value; are equal before the law; and must be treated with dignity and respect. The Arc provides assistance to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families in locating housing that meets their needs.

North Carolina Recovery & Reinvestment
In February of 2009, President Obama and the U.S. Congress signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to jumpstart the economy, save and create jobs, provide a helping hand to people affected by the recession, stabilize state and local budgets, and make investments that will provide long-term economic benefits.

While the funds won't solve all of the challenges facing North Carolina and the nation, they are critical to getting North Carolina back on track. The funds will help rebuild our infrastructure, grow the economy, stabilize the budget and get North Carolinians back to work. The Recovery Act is designed to stimulate the economy through measures that, among other things, create jobs, preserve and improve access to affordable health care, and protect those in greatest need.

North Carolina Manufactured Housing Association
Manufactured housing news, legislative representation, education and networking
The North Carolina Manufactured and Modular Homebuilders Association (NCMHA) provides industry information, representation and education. NCMHA is a trade association representing all segments of the manufactured housing industry; including manufactured home builders; suppliers; installers; retailers; community developers, owners, and managers; insurers and financial providers.

NCMHA was founded in 1968 to promote the ownership of manufactured homes and to develop high professional standards for those involved in the industry. The association's public, government and consumer relations programs are directed toward these goals. In essence, the NCMHA serves as a source of information for members, government and consumers.

Housing Alliance of North Carolina
The Housing Alliance is a statewide membership organization whose mission is to ensure that all North Carolinians, especially those with low incomes, have access to safe, decent, and affordable homes. Formed in 1985, the Housing Alliance is a growing and influential membership organization, with over 500 organizational and individual affiliates.

Members are the foundation of the organization and help set the agenda, elect leadership, and shape action, all the while representing the needs of their communities. Through the Housing Alliance, the individual views of the members are forged into a single, effective, persistent voice for the affordable housing needs and interests of rural, urban and suburban communities across the state of North Carolina.

North Carolina USDA Rural Development
The USDA Rural Development mission goal is to provide or partner with others in providing the financial and technical resources to assist North Carolina private citizens, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, communities, cities and counties in assuring that each rural community has what it takes to improve the quality of life and be successful.

USDA Rural Development assisted rural North Carolina with almost $1 billion in financial assistance during Fiscal Year (FY) 2010. The assistance was through a variety of loan and grant programs to thousands of individuals, families, businesses and communities. These funds were used to provide quality housing, good jobs, critical infrastructure, improved health care, energy efficiency improvements, public safety plus reliable modern essential community facilities and services.

North Carolina Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat has built and renovated over 200,000 houses worldwide since 1976.

Habitat for Humanity’s work is accomplished at the community level by North Carolina affiliates — independent, locally run, nonprofit organizations. Each Habitat affiliate coordinates all aspects of home building in its local area — fund raising, building site selection, partner family selection and support, house construction, and mortgage servicing.

The Duke Endowment
In North Carolina, 740,000 households do not have and cannot afford a safe, stable home. To support communities and United Methodist churches in rural North Carolina, The Duke Endowment since 1999 has funded housing projects that help people buy and own energy-efficient affordable homes.

Financial education and counseling for homeowners is crucial. Potential homeowners must be given the chance to establish budgets and enter financial management and home maintenance programs. A case-management approach helps clients address both housing and non-housing needs. In the programs supported by The Duke Endowment, not one homeowner has lost his or her home to foreclosure. No one has defaulted on a loan.

Making Home Affordable Program
In February 2009, the Obama Administration introduced a comprehensive Financial Stability Plan to address the key problems at the heart of the current crisis to get our economy back on track. A critical piece of that effort is Making Home Affordable, a plan to stabilize the housing market and help struggling homeowners get relief and avoid foreclosure.

North Carolina homeowners can connect with free HUD-approved counseling organizations, locate free events in their area, find the application documents necessary to apply for the Making Home Affordable Program, as well as find answers to frequently asked questions and much more. The Making Home Affordable Program includes opportunities to modify or refinance your mortgage to make your monthly payments more affordable.

Independent Living Services
For people with significant disabilities, the Independent Living Rehabilitation Program (IL) can be a partner in better managing your own life and taking a more active part in the life of your family, home and community. It can assist eligible individuals with services that provide an alternative to institutionalization when possible. They can improve functioning in one's family, home and community. They can help prepare a person for a vocational rehabilitation employment program.

You may be eligible for services if you have a significant disability, the disability severely limits your ability to live independently and receipt of services will significantly improve your ability to live independently. Some services are available to eligible North Carolina individuals without regard to their financial need.