Housing and Community Development Committee (Virtual) (Jul 30, 2025)

Housing & Community Development Committee Meeting Recap: July 30, 2025

On July 30, 2025, the City of Asheville’s Housing and Community Development (HCD) Committee held a virtual meeting to discuss the implementation of the recently approved 2024 Affordable Housing Bond and explore potential partnerships to expand affordable housing options in our community. The meeting, attended by committee members and city staff, included a review of previous minutes, public comment opportunities, and extensive discussions on key initiatives.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to exploring how best to utilize the $20 million approved by voters in November 2024 through the Affordable Housing Bond. Staff presented a preliminary plan, outlining potential funding allocations across various programs and highlighting opportunities to leverage additional resources. A key discussion point was a proposed partnership with the newly established Western North Carolina (WNC) Affordable Housing Loan Fund, backed by Dogwood Health Trust. Representatives from Self-Help Credit Union detailed how this fund could provide crucial gap financing for affordable rental housing projects, potentially attracting private investment and expanding the city’s capacity to address our housing needs. Councilwoman Sage Turner emphasized the importance of considering a mix of income levels in these projects to ensure long-term financial viability.

The committee also engaged in a discussion about incorporating data from Patrick Bowen’s upcoming Housing Needs Assessment into future bond allocation decisions, with consideration given to prioritizing deeper affordability (housing for those below 60% of Area Median Income). Feedback received from listening groups held with developers, small developers/homeownership advocates, and housing advocates prompted a discussion about potentially increasing funds available for homeownership initiatives. The committee also clarified the process for utilizing CDBGDR (Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery) funds, noting that emergency shelter activities fall under infrastructure funding.

During the public comment period, representatives from the Buncombe County Affordable Housing Group advocated for a more measured approach to funding decisions and emphasized the need for greater support for homeownership opportunities. Developers expressed strong interest in the Self-Help Loan Fund and its potential to provide flexible financing options.

While no formal votes were taken during this meeting, several key action items emerged: City staff will continue working closely with Self-Help Credit Union to refine the partnership proposal. They will also gather additional data and address questions raised by committee members and community participants, particularly regarding the balance between rental and homeownership initiatives. A more comprehensive proposal, including bond recommendations and details about the Self-Help partnership, is slated for presentation at the August HCD Committee meeting. Furthermore, staff will continue developing a program manual for CDBGDR funds and exploring the feasibility of creating a dedicated city position focused on emergency shelter planning, working in coordination with the Community Organizations Committee (COC).

This meeting represents a crucial step in strategically allocating resources to address Asheville’s ongoing housing challenges. Residents can stay informed about these efforts by visiting the City of Asheville's website (https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-committees/housing-and-community-development-committee/) and following the committee’s progress at upcoming meetings. The August meeting promises to provide more concrete recommendations for how these vital funds will be utilized to benefit our community.