Members of the Asheville City Council engaged in a discussion about the housing authority.
The Asheville City Council has taken decisive action to restructure its Housing Authority Board, reducing its members from 11 to 9 while removing key leadership positions. This change follows a tumultuous sequence of events, including the firing of the previous CEO and concerns about due process among board members. Despite the board’s restructuring, the Council aims to maintain resident representation. Plans for new housing developments are also underway, reflecting a commitment to balance growth with community needs.
Asheville, a vibrant and bustling city in North Carolina, has been making headlines recently, particularly regarding its Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. In a decisive move, the Asheville City Council voted unanimously on February 11 to shrink the board from 11 members down to 9. This significant decision wasn’t just about numbers; it also marked the removal of Chair Tilman Jackson and Vice Chair Reginald Robinson from their positions.
This latest vote isn’t happening in a vacuum. It follows a previous decision made on January 14 where the Council initially agreed to expand the board from 7 to 11 members. With all this back and forth, one could say that the situation surrounding the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville (HACA) has been filled with a bit of turmoil.
Things began to heat up when the board’s president and CEO, Monique Pierre, was fired on November 7. Just prior to her departure, she had called for all board members to reapply for their roles — which certainly set off alarms among many. To add to the confusion, Pierre canceled board meetings in November and December, leaving residents and stakeholders wondering what was next.
In response, Mayor Esther Manheimer reassured everyone that a resident would still find a place on the board, despite the recent changes. It appears that while the board is undergoing restructuring, the focus remains on representing the community’s needs.
Newly appointed board member Kimberly Collins highlighted the importance of not harming the legacies and reputations of the board’s previous efforts while setting a new direction. With the HACA managing 10 public housing developments consisting of 1,534 units and overseeing numerous housing vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), any change in leadership can have wide-reaching consequences.
On top of the restructuring of the Housing Authority Board, Asheville’s City Council is also working on zoning amendments to create an array of housing options. Plans to allow for developments like cottage homes and flag lots were initially pushed aside due to concerns from local neighborhoods. As the prospects for additional housing options linger in the air, a discussion has emerged about the importance of balancing development and preservation of historically underinvested communities.
Council member Bo Hess proposed revisiting the previously denied zoning changes at the upcoming March 11 meeting, showing that the Council is committed to addressing the housing needs of its residents, while also listening to community feedback.
As the dust begins to settle, one thing is clear: Asheville’s City Council is determined to foster an environment that prioritizes citizen involvement and sustainable growth. While the restructuring of the Housing Authority Board could spark significant changes in how public housing is managed, the goal remains to improve opportunities for all Asheville residents. With such a dynamic chapter unfolding, residents are undoubtedly keen to see how these developments will shape future housing initiatives.
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