Asheville Regional Housing Consortium – June 11, 2025

Asheville Regional Housing Consortium Meeting Recap: Prioritizing Rental Assistance and Homeowner Rehabilitation

On June 11, 2025, the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium held a virtual meeting open to the public via livestream and phone call-in. The primary focus of the meeting was determining how to best allocate approximately $1.5 million in funding for housing initiatives over the coming year, including an additional $300,000 freed up by a rescinded project. The meeting provided valuable insights into the region’s housing needs and priorities, as identified through a recent stakeholder survey conducted by the Land of Sky Regional Council.

A significant portion of the discussion centered around a proposed Action Plan for funding allocation. Consortium members considered four options, ranging from maintaining the current focus on rental construction to prioritizing down payment and home repair assistance for homeowners. Following robust debate, the consortium ultimately voted to approve a revised funding allocation that reflects a shift in priorities. The approved plan will dedicate $300,000 to Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA), a program that helps renters with monthly lease payments, $590,000 to Homeowner Rehabilitation (supporting repairs and upgrades for existing homes), and $400,000 to Down Payment Assistance, helping residents achieve homeownership. This decision acknowledges the rising costs of construction and a desire to address immediate housing needs through gap-filling approaches, as noted by James Bland (City of Brevard).

The meeting also included a presentation of findings from the recent housing needs assessment. The survey highlighted rent and home purchase affordability as major concerns across the region, with land availability and cost identified as significant barriers. Stakeholders emphasized a preference for rehabilitation and revitalization of existing housing over new construction, aligning with the consortium's final funding decision. A request from HAC for an additional $300,000 to support the Apple Ridge project due to increased construction costs was also discussed but no immediate decision was made.

Community input played a role in the discussion, with several attendees stressing the importance of supporting existing projects and prioritizing rehabilitation efforts. Concerns were raised regarding the capacity to effectively administer tenant-based rental assistance programs, drawing on past experiences. Consortium Chair Sage Turner emphasized the importance of streamlining investments and focusing on impactful programs, a sentiment that guided the final vote.

Looking ahead, several key action items were identified. The consortium will work to schedule a presentation by Patrick Bowen and his research team, potentially combined with other community events. The consolidated plan and revised action plan will be presented to Asheville City Council on June 24th. A seven-day public comment period will be announced shortly, following a waiver from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Finally, the consortium will develop a formal process for reviewing requests from projects seeking additional funding, ensuring a transparent and consistent approach to future needs. This meeting signifies an important step in addressing the region’s housing challenges and demonstrates a commitment to supporting both renters and homeowners through targeted assistance programs.