A new bill filed by State Rep. Dew seeks to expand affordable housing opportunities on land owned by higher education or religious institutions in designated urban municipalities, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 914 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Higher Ed./Religious Inst. Affordable Housing.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill allows by-right development of affordable housing on land owned by independent higher education or religious institutions in certain North Carolina municipalities with populations over 50,000, designated as urban areas. The development must occur on land owned by these entities before Jan. 1, 2026, excluding sites in local historic districts or adjacent to significant industrial use areas. At least 80% of units must be reserved for low-income residents, with up to 5% for institutional staff. Ancillary uses such as child care centers or community-based organization facilities are allowed on the ground floor. The bill specifies density, height, and parking requirements, with flexibility for developments near transit stops. It becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025.
Dew proposed another 12 bills during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Dew, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 107th House district, replacing previous state representative Robert Drakeford.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aisha O. Dew | HB 914 | 04/10/2025 | Higher Ed./Religious Inst. Affordable Housing. |
| Aisha O. Dew, Julia Greenfield, Julie von Haefen, and Marcia Morey | HB 902 | 04/10/2025 | Free to Learn – Library Bill of Rights Act. |
| Aisha O. Dew and Maria Cervania | HB 915 | 04/10/2025 | Reenact Film Credit. |
| Aisha O. Dew, James Roberson, and Julie von Haefen | HB 852 | 04/09/2025 | Safe Dogs, Safe Owners. |
| Aisha O. Dew | HB 792 | 04/07/2025 | Clean Energy Grants. |
| Aisha O. Dew, Marcia Morey, Mary Belk, and Pricey Harrison | HB 732 | 04/02/2025 | Common Sense Gun Regulations. |
| Aisha O. Dew, Deb Butler, Kanika Brown, and Pricey Harrison | HB 738 | 04/02/2025 | Restore Wetlands Protections. |
| Aisha O. Dew and Carolyn G. Logan | HB 625 | 03/31/2025 | The Prison Resources Repurposing Act. |
| Aisha O. Dew, Deb Butler, Julia Greenfield, and Julie von Haefen | HB 509 | 03/25/2025 | Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. |
| Aisha O. Dew, Jordan Lopez, Pricey Harrison, and Zack Hawkins | HB 413 | 03/17/2025 | Marijuana Legalization and Reinvestment Act. |
| Aisha O. Dew, Bryan Cohn, Carolyn G. Logan, and Kanika Brown | HB 374 | 03/11/2025 | NCARCOG Funding/Operations Improvements. |
| Aisha O. Dew, Allison A. Dahle, Bryan Cohn, and Marcia Morey | HB 353 | 03/10/2025 | Fair Minimum Wage Act. |
| Aisha O. Dew, Carolyn G. Logan, Marcia Morey, and Pricey Harrison | HB 339 | 03/06/2025 | Economic Security Act. |
