LIVE @ Buncombe County Affordable Housing Committee Meeting 6/16/20

Buncombe County Affordable Housing Committee Meeting Recap – June 16, 2020

On June 16th, the Buncombe County Affordable Housing Committee convened to discuss critical decisions impacting affordable housing initiatives within our community. The meeting, attended by committee members and open to public comment via a pre-meeting portal, centered on two primary areas: how to allocate federal Home funds and refining the Affordable Housing Services Program. With a significant demand for assistance exceeding available resources, the committee grappled with tough choices aimed at maximizing impact and supporting those most in need.

A major focus of the meeting was deciding how to distribute over $1.2 million in Home funds, a federal program designed to support affordable housing projects. The committee reviewed recommendations from the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium, which received requests totaling $4.3 million – highlighting the significant need within our region. A key project under consideration was the "Villas at Swannanoa," a proposed 80-unit senior housing development, seeking $330,000 in funding. Ultimately, the committee approved these recommendations, which will now be considered by Asheville City Council on July 14th.

Beyond fund allocation, the committee continued discussions about improving the Affordable Housing Services Program – a program that provides assistance with down payments, rental support, and construction grants. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around refining program details like loan caps (currently $20,000 for down payment assistance and $1,500 for rental assistance) and exploring more favorable loan terms. Committee members expressed strong support for examining options like longer repayment periods and lower interest rates, particularly for projects utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), a crucial tool for developing affordable housing.

The meeting also included valuable input from the community. Several residents and organizations shared their perspectives through a pre-meeting portal. Anna Zuzskaya from the Asheville Bunkman Community Land Trust advocated for increased funding for the New Start program. Greg Borum, Jim Yameen and Van Vogel from Homeward Bound raised important points about removing loan caps, extending affordability periods, accepting housing vouchers and aligning county loan rates with the City of Asheville Housing Trust Fund. These comments underscored the diverse needs within our community and provided valuable insights for the committee's deliberations.

Looking ahead, several key action items were identified. County staff will gather feedback from local housing partners like Habitat for Humanity and MHO, as well as the Institute of Government, regarding proposed loan terms. They will then revise program descriptions and guidelines based on this input, presenting a revised draft to the committee at their next meeting on July 21st. Finally, Buncombe County will transition to Zoom Enterprise for future meetings, ensuring greater accessibility and efficiency.

This meeting underscored the ongoing commitment to addressing Buncombe County’s affordable housing challenges. The decisions made, coupled with community feedback and planned revisions to the Affordable Housing Services Program, represent important steps toward creating a more equitable housing landscape for all residents. The committee acknowledged the difficult balancing act of limited funding and high demand, emphasizing their dedication to using resources effectively and supporting projects that maximize the number of affordable housing units.