Affordable Housing Subcommittee Meeting | Dec. 2, 2025

Affordable Housing Subcommittee Meeting Recap: December 2, 2025

On December 2, 2025, the Buncombe County Affordable Housing Subcommittee convened to discuss ongoing projects and upcoming funding opportunities aimed at expanding affordable housing options within the county. The meeting, attended by subcommittee members and county staff, focused on several key areas impacting residents seeking accessible housing.

A significant portion of the meeting centered around three ongoing construction projects – Redwood Commons (East Asheville), Rocky River (Vichita Eric Development Group), and Pine Lane (Abroaders). These projects have faced setbacks, partially due to recent government shutdowns. Recognizing the need to keep these vital developments on track and ultimately deliver much-needed housing units, the subcommittee agreed to support staff’s recommendation to extend their construction loan awards by six months. While no formal vote was taken, this decision will be implemented administratively at the staff level, ensuring projects can continue without interruption. Staff emphasized the importance of flexibility and aligning with the county’s fiscal year end when extending these loan periods.

Beyond ongoing projects, the subcommittee also reviewed proposed revisions to the Portable Housing Service Program (PHSP), which will be presented to the full board later that evening. These revisions prioritize projects demonstrating a commitment to broader community benefit, including securing additional funding sources, deferring developer fees where appropriate, accepting rental vouchers, and participating in the Continuum of Care. A crucial new priority is giving preference to projects assisting households displaced by Tropical Storm Malene, aligning with the ongoing recovery efforts outlined in the Malene Recovery Plan. Additionally, administrative processes will be streamlined by aligning the PHSP’s expenditure approval threshold with existing county procurement policies.

The meeting also highlighted upcoming funding opportunities for residents. Staff announced that the City of Asheville has opened its 2025-2026 HOME application, a program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This application, open to Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties, will prioritize down payment assistance, homeowner rehabilitation, tenant-based rental assistance, and support for community housing development organizations. The deadline to apply is December 10th. Furthermore, staff announced that the World Health and Service Program (WHSP) application process will be released after board approval of the PHSP revisions, expected in late December/early January.

While a brief attempt was made to solicit public comment at the beginning of the meeting, technical difficulties prevented online participation. Chair (Acting) emphasized the importance of making funds available "as quickly and respectfully as possible" to ensure projects deliver housing units, reflecting a commitment to efficient resource allocation.

Looking Ahead: County staff will actively participate in the Home Consortium’s process to help guide funding recommendations. Following board approval, staff will release the WHSP application process, expected in late December/early January. Finally, the PHSP revisions discussed will be presented to the full board for final approval. These ongoing efforts demonstrate a continued commitment to addressing the critical need for affordable housing within Buncombe County and supporting residents impacted by events like Tropical Storm Malene.