Special Meeting: Asheville Regional Housing Consortium (Virtual) (Jan 14, 2026)

The Asheville Regional Housing Consortium held a special virtual meeting on January 14, 2026, to address regional housing funding, strategic planning, and membership expansion. The session focused on approving fiscal year 2025 funding allocations, amending the consolidated plan to prioritize affordable rental construction, and reviewing updates on the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) program.

Key Decisions The consortium recorded two formal votes during the meeting. First, the body voted to pass the approval of the June 11, 2025 Action Minutes. Second, the body voted to pass a motion to approve an agenda reorder. While the transcript summary indicates that other motions regarding the fiscal year 2026-27 calendar, funding recommendations, and the consolidated plan amendment were approved unanimously, these specific outcomes are not listed in the official vote record provided for this meeting.

Discussion Highlights City staff provided project updates, noting that the Fairhaven Summit project in Buncombe County broke ground in December 2025 with $400,000 in consortium funding supporting five Home units. Staff also reported that the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County successfully closed out its homeowner replacement funds from fiscal year 21, utilizing $205,000. The consortium approved its calendar for fiscal year 2026-27, which maintains virtual meetings on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and in-person meetings at the Cherokee Center.

Staff presented funding recommendations for fiscal year 2025, which the consortium approved. These allocations included $170,000 to Help Me, $75,000 to the Housing Authority, and $55,000 to ARC of Buncombe County for tenant-based rental assistance. For down payment assistance, $200,000 was allocated to Henderson County Habitat. Homeowner rehabilitation funds were distributed as $200,000 to the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County and $204,000 to the Housing Assistance Corporation.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to amending the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan to add "affordable rental construction" as a priority need and goal. The consortium voted to authorize the City of Asheville to make this amendment. Additionally, ICF, the consultant assisting with HOME-ARP funding, presented recommendations for utilizing the funds, with a focus on broadening eligible supportive services to include short-term rental assistance and case management. The consortium agreed to focus the next year’s HOME-ARP funding on a single rental construction project to allow for more focused underwriting and management.

The meeting also addressed the potential expansion of the consortium’s membership to include Marshall and Mars Hill. Consortium members expressed a desire to expand the consortium’s reach and support affordable housing initiatives across multiple counties. There was also a discussion about aligning the consortium’s funding cycles with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to maximize opportunities.

Follow-ups City staff will distribute resolutions to consortium members for the approval of adding Marshall and Mars Hill to the consortium. Consortium members are required to return signed resolutions by May 13, 2026. City staff will submit the consolidated plan amendment to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by June 2026. Additionally, the City will schedule an informal training session on Home programs for consortium members, particularly focusing on the application process, and will review its processes for working with consultants regarding challenges faced by non-profits.

Impact These decisions aim to streamline the regional approach to affordable housing by prioritizing rental construction and expanding the consortium’s geographic reach. The focus on supportive services alongside rental assistance is intended to address the underlying challenges faced by vulnerable populations. The upcoming training and process reviews are designed to help non-profits navigate the complexity of funding applications.