Asheville County Commissioners Advance Housing Grant Application, Greenlight A-B Tech Building Demolition

Asheville County Commissioners Move Forward With Applying for Housing Grant, Approve A-B Tech Building Demolition

Buncombe County

The Board of Commissioners in Asheville recently took significant steps toward securing additional funding for affordable housing and approved the demolition of a building at the A-B Tech Enka campus.

Recovery Housing Program Citizen Participation Plan

During the meeting held on March 7, the Commissioners conducted the first public hearing and greenlit the creation of a Recovery Housing Program (RHP) Citizen Participation Plan. This action is crucial for making Buncombe County eligible to receive funding from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The primary objective of the grant is to assist individuals in recovering from substance use disorders by providing stable housing and fostering self-sufficiency through secure accommodation. The RHP grants, which can exceed $1 million, can be utilized for various purposes including property acquisition, rent and utility payments, repairs, construction of housing units, public facilities, and improvements, as well as clearance and demolition.

Buncombe County plans to collaborate with the Land of Sky Regional Council to administer the grant, and no county match is required to access the funding. The next step involves a second public hearing on the Citizen Participation Plan at the Commissioners’ meeting on April 2, with the Department of Commerce announcing grant recipients by May 8.

A-B Tech Vacant Building Demolition

The Commissioners also approved a contract with D.H. Griffin for the demolition of a vacant building at the A-B Tech Enka campus. The project will entail hazardous materials abatement and recycling, disconnection of utilities, building demolition, recycling efforts to minimize waste in landfills, and proper disposal of materials in authorized locations. Additionally, the property will be re-graded and filled to achieve the required slopes and compaction. The total contract amount is $648,990, and the demolition is anticipated to span 180 days.

Appointment of Interim Clerk to the Board

Following the impending departure of the current Clerk to the Board from Buncombe County on March 15, the Commissioners have approved the appointment of Stacey Woody, the Deputy Clerk to the Board, as the interim Clerk while the County embarks on the search for a permanent replacement. The position has already been advertised, and the interview process will commence in the forthcoming weeks.