Affordable Housing Subcommittee Meeting | August 4, 2026

Meeting Overview The Buncombe County Affordable Housing Subcommittee convened on August 4, 2026, to review updates from various county departments regarding affordable housing and social services, and to discuss proposed revisions to the Affordable Housing Service Program (HSP) policies. The meeting featured presentations from Behavioral Health & Homelessness Services, Aging Services, General Assistance, Library Services, and HSP staff. The primary objective of the session was to gather feedback on potential policy changes rather than to enact immediate legislative actions.

Key Decisions and Votes The subcommittee took formal action on two procedural matters. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the April 2026 meeting, which carried successfully. Additionally, a motion was made by Speaker 4 and seconded by Speaker 9 to suspend committee rules temporarily. This suspension allowed for the election of a new chair and vice chair at the first meeting in January, and amended the bylaws to reflect that these elections will occur in January. No votes were taken on the proposed HSP policy changes; staff explicitly stated they were not seeking a recommendation at this time.

Discussion Highlights Several department heads provided updates on current programs. Victoria Reichardt of Behavioral Health & Homelessness Services reported that coordinated entry screenings doubled in FY26, with 80% receiving diversion assessments. She noted an increase in permanent supportive housing recommendations following the opening of Compass Point Village and announced an RFP for Transformation Village, adding up to 64 beds for women and mothers, with proposals due August 31. Allison Banzolf and Billy Breeden from Aging Services discussed the Home and Community Care Block Grant, noting that rising repair costs limited the number of households assisted by Mountain Housing Opportunities. They also introduced the "Housing Options for Aging in Place" (HOPE) work group.

Kimberly Fullerton announced the transition from the "Homeowners Grant" to the "General Assistance Program," which is now open to both homeowners and renters. She highlighted a significant increase in demand, with 1,147 applications received by mid-August, 75% of which were from renters. Library Services’ Jason Hyatt announced the replacement of a part-time caseworker with a full-time Library Social Worker starting in FY27, aimed at supporting vulnerable visitors.

Jonathan Jones presented 12 proposed changes to the HSP, focusing on documentation, underwriting standards, and administrative processes. Key proposals included capping for-sale loans at 10% of the total sales price, requiring a complete capital stack, and increasing rental assistance from $1,500 to $2,500 per household. Jones clarified that staff were not seeking a recommendation today but rather feedback to incorporate into a future recommendation. Commissioner Ball emphasized the goal of protecting taxpayer dollars, while Commissioner Fields suggested that structuring applications separately but allowing flexibility between funding pots could be helpful.

Community Input Adeline, a public commenter, thanked the county for the success of Starpoint and Lakeshore Villas but raised significant concerns regarding the proposed "50% cash flow provision." She argued that this provision was onerous and potentially infeasible for affordable housing projects, particularly when multiple soft funders are involved. Citing the $16 million Starpoint project, she noted that taking 50% of cash flow leaves other investors fighting over the remaining 50%. Adeline requested that stakeholders be consulted to ensure the loan program works within the existing tax credit industry and helps deals get across the finish line.

Follow-ups and Next Steps Staff committed to specific follow-up actions based on the feedback received. Jonathan Jones will consolidate the 12 proposed policy changes into a single set of recommendations for the September 1st meeting. He aims to present final recommendations to the full board in October. Staff also proposed a schedule where the "Household Impact" application opens in November and closes in December, followed by the "Unit Development" application in December, with awards targeted for April. Victoria Reichardt confirmed that the RFP for Transformation Village expansion remains open until August 31. Kimberly Fullerton noted that the General Assistance Program application remains open until funds are depleted.

Impact on Residents These discussions are critical for residents seeking housing stability, as the proposed HSP revisions aim to clarify and improve access to financial assistance for both developers and households. The expansion of the General Assistance Program to renters and the increase in rental assistance amounts directly address the high demand observed this year. Furthermore, the upcoming Transformation Village expansion and the full-time Library Social Worker role represent tangible increases in support services for vulnerable populations, including those experiencing homelessness and housing instability.