HCCBG Advisory Committee Meeting | Dec. 17, 2025

Buncombe County HCCBG Advisory Committee Meeting Recap – December 17, 2025

The Buncombe County Home and Community Block Grant (HCCBG) Advisory Committee met on December 17, 2025, to review the past year's accomplishments and plan for future funding allocations. The meeting, attended by committee members, focused on key decisions regarding grant applications and ongoing program support for vital community services.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on preparing for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 grant application process. The committee agreed to release the application on January 9th, with a final submission deadline of February 27th. Importantly, they decided to prominently feature the committee’s purpose statement on the application itself, ensuring clarity about their mission. While acknowledging the potential benefits of a formal scoring tool for evaluating grant proposals, the committee ultimately decided to continue utilizing their current discussion-based evaluation process, valuing the collaborative and in-depth conversations it fosters.

Beyond application planning, the committee engaged in a thorough review of expenditure reports from various providers benefiting from HCCBG funding. Updates were received on programs like Bria (health promotions), Allison (in-home aid), and UNITE (Elder Club). A particularly important discussion arose regarding the funding of Mountain Mobility, a crucial transportation service for Buncombe County residents. Concerns were raised about the long-term sustainability of the current funding model, which relies on $500,000 from the county. To address this, the committee agreed to request a presentation from Matt Cable of the Planning Department, who will provide data and analysis on Mountain Mobility’s funding situation and potential impacts.

There was no public comment during the meeting, but committee members consistently emphasized the importance of their role in allocating these funds and expressed appreciation for each other’s dedication. Several members highlighted the need to fully understand the complexities surrounding Mountain Mobility's funding and its potential effects on other community providers.

Looking ahead, several key action items were identified. Committee Chair Susan will finalize the FY 2027 grant application, incorporating the agreed-upon changes and sharing it with committee members and grant administrators by the end of the weekend. Susan and Billy will coordinate a presentation from Matt Cable regarding Mountain Mobility’s funding, ensuring the committee has the information needed to make informed decisions. Finally, Susan will share her Risk Assessment Matrix rubric with committee members for potential future use, and Billy will host a provider meeting in January to clarify the application process.

This meeting underscored the Advisory Committee’s commitment to ensuring that HCCBG funds are effectively utilized to support essential services for Buncombe County residents. The upcoming presentation on Mountain Mobility funding will be crucial in safeguarding a vital transportation resource, and the finalized FY 2027 application process will guide future grant awards.