Housing and Community Development – May 21, 2024

Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting Recap – May 21, 2024

On May 21, 2024, the City Council's Housing and Community Development Committee convened virtually to discuss critical issues facing Asheville’s housing landscape. The meeting, open for public listening and comment submission, centered on updates to the Affordable Housing Plan, a review of the Land Use Incentive Grant (LUIG) program, and considerations for Down Payment Assistance (DPA) programs. The discussions highlighted the ongoing challenges of housing affordability in Asheville and explored potential strategies to address them.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to examining both the successes and shortcomings of the LUIG program, presented by Jarrah Smith from Enterprise Community Partners. While the program has funded 22% of city-subsidized rentals since 2000, analysis revealed a need to improve equitable outcomes. Similarly, discussions surrounding the DPA program focused on maximizing its impact and addressing racial homeownership gaps within Asheville’s workforce. Throughout the meeting, data was presented illustrating a substantial gap between median home prices and what many households can realistically afford, particularly for lower-income residents. This underscored the urgency of finding effective solutions to ensure housing stability and accessibility for all Ashevilleans.

The committee engaged in robust discussions about potential future strategies, including exploring partnerships with organizations like the Community Land Trust and the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. While extensive discussion took place, no formal votes were taken regarding changes to the LUIG or DPA programs. Instead, the meeting served as a crucial fact-finding and brainstorming session, gathering input to inform future policy recommendations. Public comments were also heard from Andy Barnett, Chair of the Asheville Housing Authority Coalition (AHAC), who praised the committee's efforts and emphasized the need to prioritize funding for the Affordable Housing Plan, particularly addressing staffing needs. A second public commenter experienced technical difficulties but was encouraged to submit their comments via email.

Following the meeting, several key action items were identified. The committee will continue its discussion on LUIG and DPA programs at a City Council work session scheduled for June 25th. City staff will also continue reviewing data, analyzing pro formas from past LUIG projects, and exploring potential partnership opportunities. The Affordable Housing Division will finalize the Affordable Housing Plan, incorporating feedback received during this meeting and ongoing community engagement. Finally, staff will investigate opportunities to collaborate with the Asheville Housing Authority, specifically regarding their Family Self-Sufficiency program.

The discussions and planned actions stemming from this meeting demonstrate a clear commitment from the City Council to tackle Asheville’s complex housing challenges. Council members, including Antoinette Mosley and Shanika Smith, emphasized the importance of collaborative approaches and balancing affordability goals with developer feasibility. Chair Sage Turner acknowledged the complexities involved, reinforcing the need for a comprehensive approach that considers both creating new affordable housing and preserving existing options. Ultimately, the meeting laid the groundwork for future policy decisions aimed at ensuring a more equitable and accessible housing market for all Asheville residents.