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

Asheville Regional Housing Consortium Meeting Recap: May 13, 2026

On May 13th, 2026, the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium (ARHC) held a special meeting, both in-person and virtually, to discuss ongoing housing initiatives, upcoming funding opportunities, and address important administrative matters. The meeting, open to the public via livestream, brought together representatives from various regional governments including Asheville, Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania counties, as well as organizations like the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County.

Significant Progress & Approvals: A key highlight was the formal approval to include Marshall and Mars Hill as full members of the ARHC. This expansion will take effect on July 1st, 2026, and a virtual welcome is planned for the August 12th meeting. The Consortium also approved the minutes from their January 14, 2026, meeting without amendments.

Celebrating Successes & Planning for the Future: The meeting celebrated recent milestones, including the groundbreaking of the Apple Ridge project in Henderson County – a 60-unit development with five home-assisted units that received additional funding from both Asheville City Council and the Consortium. Updates were also provided on other ongoing projects funded through previous years, demonstrating positive progress across the region. Looking ahead, discussions centered on the 2026 Home Awards, with plans to support a new multifamily housing construction project. Applications will be accepted in November/December, aligning with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency's timelines.

Addressing Compliance & Supporting Vulnerable Populations: A significant portion of the meeting focused on ensuring compliance with federal regulations. James Shelton presented findings from a recent audit, outlining a corrective action plan to address monitoring of subrecipients. The Consortium also received an update on the Home ARP Rental Housing program, which targets vulnerable populations including those experiencing homelessness, at-risk of homelessness, and fleeing domestic violence. A separate program for supportive services will be launched later this summer.

What's Next? Several key action items emerged from the meeting:

• ICF and the Consortium will review and evaluate applications for the Home ARP Rental Housing program by June.
• The Consortium's Funding Committee will review these applications in June, providing recommendations.
• A special virtual meeting is scheduled for July to vote on those recommendations.
• City staff will continue implementing the corrective action plan related to subrecipient monitoring, as outlined in the audit findings.
• Preparations are underway for accepting applications for the 2026 Home Awards in November/December.

Why This Matters to You: The ARHC plays a crucial role in securing funding and supporting affordable housing initiatives across the Asheville region. These efforts directly impact families, individuals, and communities struggling with housing affordability. The expansion of the Consortium to include Marshall and Mars Hill demonstrates a commitment to addressing regional needs, while ongoing project updates highlight the tangible progress being made in creating more housing opportunities for all. By ensuring compliance and proactively addressing challenges, the ARHC is working to build a more equitable and accessible housing landscape for our region.

For More Information:

• Asheville Regional Housing Consortium webpage: [Insert Link Here]
• City of Asheville Community Development webpage: [Insert Link Here]