Housing and Community Development – July 11, 2024

Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting Recap – July 11, 2024

The Housing and Community Development Committee held a virtual meeting on July 11, 2024, focusing primarily on updates and restructuring efforts related to the city's housing and homelessness initiatives. The meeting, open for public listening via phone (855-925-2801, code 9791), provided a comprehensive overview of ongoing programs and future plans aimed at addressing housing needs within the community.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on the recently restructured Continuum of Care (CoC), a collaborative effort involving numerous organizations working to combat homelessness in Buncombe County. Emily Ball, Homeless Strategy Division Manager, detailed the changes, emphasizing a streamlined decision-making process and clearer roles for community partners. The CoC now boasts 330 members, including representatives from healthcare, housing providers, public safety, and government agencies. A newly elected board has been established, replacing the previous Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee (HIAC), and a charter outlining their responsibilities has been adopted. The meeting also highlighted the results of the recent Point-in-Time count and the election of board members.

Beyond the CoC restructuring, a key discussion revolved around a proposal from Friendship for Affordable Housing to transform the former Ramada Inn (148 River Ford Parkway) into a supportive housing facility. The plan envisions 50 units for veterans and another 50 for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, with a request for $1.5 million in city funding to cover three years of supportive services. While no formal vote was taken on the Ramada project, the Continuum of Care board will continue to vet the proposal, with recommendations expected in August. Updates were also provided on funding competitions for the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and the broader Continuum of Care, with local applications due soon.

The meeting included a brief period for public comments, which were received via phone. Councilwoman Mosley voiced her support for the ongoing work and expressed gratitude to those involved in these crucial initiatives. A new workgroup is currently identifying unmet shelter needs and developing a plan to address them, potentially seeking funding through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) programs. Finally, the committee unanimously approved the minutes from a previous meeting, completing one of their few formal actions.

Looking ahead, several key action items emerged from the meeting. The Shelter Planning Workgroup will soon issue a request for partnership to identify potential partners who can expand shelter capacity. The CoC funding competition is expected to open in the coming weeks, and HIAC will vote on a recommendation to dissolve at their July 25th meeting. Additional board elections are planned to fill remaining seats on the CoC board. Residents can find more information about the Continuum of Care and related initiatives on a newly launched webpage on the city's website. For those who missed the live meeting, a recording is available by calling 855-925-2801 and entering code 9791.

This meeting underscored the city's ongoing commitment to addressing housing challenges and homelessness through collaborative efforts like the restructured Continuum of Care. The Ramada Inn project, if approved, could provide much-needed supportive housing for vulnerable populations, while the Shelter Planning Workgroup aims to identify and address gaps in existing shelter services. These developments represent important steps toward creating a more equitable and accessible housing landscape for all residents of Buncombe County.