North Carolina Legislators Propose Bills Affecting Development, Education

Debate over housing policy and affordability is intensifying at both state and local levels. In North Carolina, lawmakers are considering HB 765, a bill designed to expedite the development approval process by requiring local planning and zoning departments to make decisions within 90 days, aiming to address the shortage of affordable housing by increasing supply. However, this approach faces opposition from residents who want to slow growth until infrastructure catches up. Meanwhile, in Newburgh, New York, renters are calling on legislators to support stronger tenant protections and rent stabilization, citing rising rents and the risk of homelessness for working families. These discussions reflect a broader tension between facilitating development to lower housing costs and maintaining community control over growth.