Affordable Housing Advisory Committee – May 30, 2024

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Meeting Recap – May 30, 2024

On May 30th, 2024, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) convened a special virtual meeting to review and refine the draft implementation plan for Asheville’s Affordable Housing Plan. This plan aims to tackle the city's pressing affordable housing challenges, and this meeting was a critical step in finalizing it before presentation to City Council. The meeting was open to the public, allowing residents to listen in and provide comments via phone.

The primary focus of the meeting was a detailed examination of the draft implementation plan, which centers around five key goals: strengthening Asheville’s overall affordable housing ecosystem, aligning local policies with city initiatives, supporting current residents to remain in the community, preserving and improving existing housing stock, and ultimately increasing the availability of diverse and affordable housing options. Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work, the plan also emphasizes two cross-cutting priorities: meeting the needs of families with very low incomes (those earning below 60% of the Area Median Income) and proactively protecting against displacement – whether physical, economic, cultural, or environmental. Throughout all initiatives, the plan prioritizes racial equity and encourages using a framework developed by Race Forward to assess potential impacts.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on prioritizing strategies within the plan, carefully considering their feasibility given current funding levels and staffing capacity. Committee members engaged in a robust debate about which strategies would be most impactful and realistically achievable, particularly exploring options that could potentially be funded through an upcoming bond referendum. Concerns were raised about the current housing market, including a shortage of homes for purchase and difficulties faced by smaller developers. Several committee members emphasized the urgent need to address immediate rental assistance needs and mitigate displacement pressures, reflecting feedback received during previous community engagement sessions. While the meeting was open for public comment via phone, no direct comments were formally recorded in the transcript.

While no formal votes were taken during this meeting, several important action items and next steps emerged. A smaller working group of AHAC members will conduct a more in-depth review of the draft plan on June 10th. Following that, Enterprise Community Partners, who are assisting the city with plan development, will present a near-final draft to Asheville City Council on June 25th for their review. Recognizing the need for dedicated resources, city staff and AHAC members will also explore options to expand affordable housing staffing. To facilitate ongoing feedback, a collaborative spreadsheet will be created for committee members to prioritize strategies and offer suggestions. Finally, the committee will begin identifying potential partner organizations that can assist with implementing the plan once it's finalized.

This meeting was a vital step in developing a comprehensive strategy to address Asheville’s affordable housing crisis. The discussions highlighted the complexities involved and underscored the importance of careful planning, resource allocation, and community engagement. Residents can expect further updates as the plan progresses through City Council review and eventual implementation, with a focus on ensuring equitable access to housing for all Ashevilleans.