Special Meeting: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (Virtual) (Sep 25, 2025)

Recap of Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Meeting – September 25, 2025

The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) convened virtually on September 25, 2025, primarily to address administrative matters related to the newly established Helene Recovery Boards. The meeting served as a transition point for the AHAC, shifting its operational model in conjunction with the broader city recovery efforts.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the structure and function of these four temporary Recovery Boards – Housing, Economy, Infrastructure, and People & Environment. Nikki Reid presented an overview of the boards, outlining their purpose in supporting recovery efforts following a storm and providing input to the City Council on policy recommendations. The boards will operate until June 30, 2027 and are designed to leverage existing advisory board expertise while streamlining operations. Discussion centered on appointing representatives from the AHAC to serve on the Housing and Economy Recovery Boards, with appointments due by September 28th and full appointments finalized by October 14th.

Beyond the Recovery Board discussion, the committee approved minutes from their August 2024 meeting. Public comment was also accepted, with submissions due by September 22nd to be shared with the committee for review.

The most impactful outcome of this meeting was the confirmation of a significant shift in the AHAC's operational model. Moving forward, the AHAC will operate "on-demand," meeting only when specifically tasked by the City Council or relevant department directors. This change reflects a streamlining of advisory board functions, allowing members to proactively suggest ideas and contribute directly to Council Committees, the City Council itself, or individual department directors. The committee members are encouraged to engage with the Recovery Boards and suggest ideas for their consideration, further integrating advisory expertise into the city’s recovery strategy.

The AHAC webpage (https://www.ashevillenc.gov/AHAC) and the project page for updates on the Helene Recovery Boards (https://publicinput.com/j22500) provide additional information regarding these changes and ongoing recovery efforts.