Special Meeting: Asheville Regional Housing Consortium (In-Person) (May 13, 2026)

Asheville Regional Housing Consortium Meeting Recap: May 13, 2026 – Progress & Future Directions

The Asheville Regional Housing Consortium (ARHC) held a special meeting on May 13, 2026, bringing together representatives from Asheville City Council, Buncombe, Henderson, Marshall, and Transylvania Counties, among others. This meeting provided a comprehensive update on ongoing housing initiatives across the region and laid groundwork for future projects aimed at expanding affordable housing opportunities. The meeting was hybrid, with both in-person and virtual participation, ensuring accessibility for the public.

Significant Progress & Approvals: A key highlight of the meeting was the formal approval to include Marshall and Mars Hill as full members of the ARHC, a process involving signed cooperation agreements. This expansion will broaden regional collaboration and potentially unlock additional resources for housing initiatives in these communities, with a formal welcome planned for the August 12th meeting. The minutes from the January 14, 2026 meeting were also approved without amendments.

Ongoing Projects & Funding Updates: Consortium members received detailed updates on several key projects. The Lake Shore Villas project, a multifamily development, is nearing completion and expected to open this month. The Apple Ridge project in Henderson County, a 60-unit development with five home-assisted units, recently celebrated its groundbreaking ceremony – receiving additional funding supported by both Asheville City Council and the Consortium. James Shelton provided an update on the 2025 funding awards, noting that contracts are being finalized and ensuring timely expenditure of funds. Stephanie Carl and Jonathan Jones from ICF presented an update on the Home ARP Rental Housing program, which received a significant number of applications targeting vulnerable populations.

Looking Ahead: Planning for Future Investments: A major focus was on planning for the 2026 Home Awards, with a particular emphasis on supporting new multifamily housing construction. Kaylee Pulliam outlined the application process, which will open in November/December with a funding committee review in January. The city’s receipt of additional Disaster Recovery (DR) funds may impact the applicant pool, requiring careful consideration. The Consortium also discussed a separate program for supportive services that will be released later this summer, further expanding the range of assistance available to those in need.

Addressing Accountability & Compliance: The meeting also addressed findings from the city’s single audit, specifically concerning monitoring of subrecipients for the 2024-2025 program year. A corrective action plan is already in place, and the Consortium will be audited again next year to ensure ongoing compliance with HUD guidelines. This demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability in managing public funds dedicated to housing initiatives.

What's Next & How You Can Stay Informed: Several key action items emerged from the meeting: ICF/Consortium will review and evaluate Home ARP Rental Housing applications by June, with a special virtual meeting scheduled in July to vote on funding recommendations. The Consortium Funding Committee will also be reviewing applications for the Home ARP Rental Housing program in June. City staff are continuing to implement the corrective action plan outlined in the audit findings and preparing for accepting applications for the 2026 Home Awards. Residents can stay informed about these developments and future meetings by visiting the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium webpage or contacting Dora Tovar ([email protected]). This meeting underscored the ARHC’s ongoing commitment to addressing regional housing needs and ensuring that resources are effectively utilized to create more affordable opportunities for all.