Housing and Community Development – April 16, 2024

Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting Recap – April 16, 2024

The Asheville Housing and Community Development Committee convened virtually on April 16, 2024, to discuss critical funding decisions impacting housing and community development initiatives within the city. The meeting was open to public participation via phone call-in, ensuring transparency and citizen engagement in the process. This recap summarizes key discussions, decisions, and next steps for residents interested in understanding how these funds will shape our community.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on allocating funding from two key sources: the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the Housing Trust Fund. Following approval of the minutes from their previous meeting on March 19th, the committee heard presentations outlining recommendations for both programs. Andy Barnett from Habitat for Humanity presented their application for housing trust fund dollars, detailing a down payment assistance program designed to help first-time homebuyers while ensuring long-term affordability through a shared appreciation model. This sparked discussion about balancing wealth creation with maintaining affordable housing options for residents.

The committee then turned to the CDBG funding recommendations, presented by Community Economic Development Director Dennis Newburn. After reviewing a range of applications, the committee voted to recommend these allocations to City Council for final approval. Subsequently, a detailed review of Housing Trust Fund applications took place, with over $9 million in requests considered against an available balance of approximately $4.9 million. Following extensive discussion, the committee preliminarily approved a plan to allocate roughly $4.6 million across five development projects. A key decision involved approving $1.1 million for StarPoint Apartments, with a potential additional $195,000 contingent on funding from Buncombe County. Full funding was tentatively approved for Rowers Affordable, while Overlook 157 was not recommended. Hospitality Houses received $40,000 and Habitat for Humanity will receive $146,000.

Public comments were a valuable part of the meeting, with Andy Barnett from Habitat for Humanity providing insights into their down payment assistance program and its impact. Committee members, including Councilwomen Mosley and Smith, expressed enthusiasm for the variety of projects under consideration, highlighting the committee's diligent work. Chair Sage Turner emphasized the importance of aligning city and county funding decisions to maximize impact, a sentiment echoed by Sasha Bertinski who suggested exploring the possibility of a joint funding entity to streamline future processes.

Looking ahead, several key action items emerged from the meeting. City Council will now review and finalize both the CDBG funding recommendations and the Housing Trust Fund allocation plan. Staff will also begin developing an annual action plan for HUD approval, incorporating finalized funding amounts and program income projections. Committee members also discussed the possibility of reserving funds for smaller projects and exploring a second funding cycle later in the year, particularly if an affordable housing bond is approved. Finally, the city will provide technical assistance to organizations applying for CDBG funds to ensure a fair and competitive process. Residents can expect further updates as these decisions progress through the City Council approval process, impacting the availability of affordable housing and community development resources throughout Asheville.