Housing and Community Development Committee (Virtual) (Oct 21, 2025)

Recap of October 21, 2025 Housing and Community Development Committee Meeting

The October 21, 2025, meeting of the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Committee focused primarily on updates to existing housing programs, particularly those funded through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds, and received updates on broader housing initiatives within Asheville. The meeting was conducted virtually and included presentations from City staff, advisory board updates, a brief public comment period, and several key votes. Committee attendance included Vice Mayor S. Antanette Mosley (chair), council members, and various staff representatives from the City of Asheville.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to amending housing programs within the CDBG-DR Action Plan. The committee unanimously approved raising the maximum grant amount for homeowner reconstruction and rehabilitation from $375,000 to $450,000 to align with the State of North Carolina’s program and reflect current construction costs. Additionally, they voted to reduce the minimum award amount for the Housing and Economic Security Support Services Program from $500,000 to $250,000. This change aims to allow smaller community organizations with less financial capacity to apply for and manage funds, expanding program accessibility. A regulatory citation correction was also approved as non-substantial.

The committee also received updates on the work plans for both the Housing Recovery Board and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC). The Housing Recovery Board is focused on developing a Disaster Housing Plan and supporting both temporary and permanent housing solutions for those affected by Tropical Storm Helene, while AHAC is working on a Home Repair Policy and exploring best practices. The committee heard data related to anti-displacement efforts, including a review of the City’s Conditional Zoning (CZ) projects since 2018, noting that approximately 60% of approved projects are built or under construction. Discussions highlighted the need to address economic pressures contributing to displacement and align with the City’s Comprehensive Plan (Living Asheville).

Finally, staff presented a proposal to raise the threshold for requiring a lien on emergency home repair and rehabilitation projects from $10,000 to $25,000. This change is intended to increase participation in CDBG-funded programs by removing a perceived barrier for homeowners. The committee received this information and is seeking feedback from the community.

Next Steps & Future Items: The committee will continue to address topics such as multi-family housing funding, loan revisions, and updates on HOME funding programs in future meetings. The CDBG-DR Action Plan amendments are subject to a 30-day public comment period, followed by a hearing at the City Council meeting on October 28th. HUD approval will be required before implementation can proceed.