Civint hosted a policy discussion around housing issues led by Rob Coats of The Banyan Foundation, a nonprofit developer that has built over 2,500 affordable units across the Southeast.
More than two dozen local government elected leaders and staff joined the conversation with business and nonprofit leaders from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia to share insight into the evolving challenges and opportunities in affordable housing development amid shifting federal priorities.
Rob’s presentation focused on the mechanics and realities of financing housing through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, particularly the use of four percent bond-financed credits as an increasingly viable, though competitive, tool for large-scale housing development.
Local officials around the table raised concerns about the limited availability of state bond allocations, compliance complexities, and the growing importance of partnerships with housing authorities, nonprofit service providers, and private developers. They also emphasized the emerging trends around workforce housing designed for moderate-income households often earning 80 to120 percent of Area Median Income. These efforts are important for retaining essential workers and promoting community stability, yet they frequently face funding gaps and regulatory ambiguity.
Rob also examined the outlook for federal programs such as HUD’s 221(d)(4) loan insurance and the Choice Neighborhood Initiative, which offer up to $50 million in grant funding to support comprehensive neighborhood redevelopment. While these programs offer promise, their long timelines and technical requirements make them difficult to access without dedicated local planning capacity.
Ultimately, the housing discussion centered on the need for flexible funding strategies, community-driven design, and early coordination between public and private stakeholders. As federal housing policy continues to evolve, local governments are being challenged to take on a larger role in financing and executing development plans that meet long-term affordability and quality-of-life goals.
Civint continues to stay on top of these issues and their impact on local governments. Sign up here for our newsletter to get updates.
