Asheville Takes Bold Steps to Tackle Housing Crisis

News Summary

Asheville is addressing its housing crisis with a unanimous approval for 126 affordable housing units, a plan that reflects the city’s goals for sustainable living. This development, backed by significant funding, aims to create 14,000 affordable units over the next 25 years, ensuring long-term affordability and support for the community’s lower-income households. Local organizations are also stepping up to provide additional housing solutions.

Asheville Takes Bold Steps to Tackle Housing Crisis with New Affordable Units

The vibrant city of Asheville is making significant strides to combat its pressing housing crisis. On February 25, the Asheville City Council gave a unanimous approval for the construction of 126 affordable housing units, a move welcomed by residents and housing advocates alike.

Where and How Many?

This exciting development will unfold on a sprawling 10 acres of land located near Brevard Road along Pine Lane. With this step, the city is setting out to address the urgent need for affordable living spaces for its residents, a challenge that has intensified in recent years.

Long-Term Goals for Affordable Housing

Asheville’s Affordable Housing Officer is taking a strong stance with an ambitious goal of building 14,000 affordable housing units over the next 25 years. While this new project is just starting its journey, the recent approval marks a significant leap forward in a much-needed plan.

Funding the Future

How will they pay for this? It’s a combination of funds coming from various local sources: a hefty $3.9 million from the city and an additional $6.5 million from Buncombe County. These funds will play a crucial role in making sure that the affordable housing dream becomes a reality.

Committed to Affordability

One important aspect of this initiative is a 30-year deed restriction on the apartments, ensuring that they remain affordable for years to come. The new housing units will cater to residents earning 80% and 60% of the area-median income (AMI), thus maintaining accessibility for the community’s lower-income households.

A Broader Strategy for Housing Solutions

This project isn’t just a standalone effort; it’s part of a larger, comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing a variety of housing needs throughout the city, from emergency shelters to more upscale living options. Community feedback has played a crucial role in shaping Asheville’s focus on urgent housing developments, particularly highlighted in studies following Hurricane Helene.

Community Support and Votes

This community-driven initiative gains further backing from a general obligation bond voted on by residents in November, giving $20 million to affordable housing initiatives. There’s momentum building, and Asheville’s leaders are eager to bring forward more proposals for future funding in the coming months.

Timeline for Construction and Completion

As for when residents can expect to see construction, the timeline suggests that work will begin this winter. Typically, such projects take around 18-24 months to complete. That means it won’t be too long before new families can start moving into their new homes!

Local Organizations Stepping Up

Local nonprofit organizations like Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO) are also stepping up, having assisted over 2,000 households in 2023 amidst the ongoing housing market challenges. This year, MHO has plans for seven new projects focused on creating even more affordable housing options.

Ongoing Commitment to Housing Needs

In September 2023, Asheville kicked off the process of updating its Affordable Housing Plan, which hasn’t been revised since 2015. This update will include a ten-year roadmap with clear goals aimed at enhancing homeownership and rental affordability.

The city is dedicated to not only building new units but also preserving existing affordable housing and supporting residents in need, especially within the BIPOC community. With these plans in place, Asheville is poised to make significant progress in tackling its housing challenges and nurturing a thriving community.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Asheville, NC: Housing Prices Experience a Dramatic Surge
Asheville Receives $25,000 Donation for Flood Recovery
Asheville Faces Housing Crisis as City Council Considers Reforms
Asheville Community Rallies for Hurricane Helene Recovery
Asheville Housing Market: A Balanced Shift in Trends
Asheville’s Riverside Businesses Face Recovery Challenges Post-Flood
Asheville Faces Severe Weather Challenges
Asheville Fire Department Deploys to Kentucky Flooding Crisis
Asheville Artists and Residents Rebuild After Hurricane Helene
House Fire in Asheville Injures One Early Monday Morning

Additional Resources

• WLOS: 126 Affordable Housing Units to be Built in Asheville
• Trib Papers: Will Tiny Homes Help Alleviate Asheville’s Longstanding Housing Crisis?
• AVL Today: Plans to Expand Affordable Housing in 2025
• NC Newsline: Cary Says No to Affordable Housing Bond
• WLOS: Asheville Unveils Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan
• Wikipedia: Affordable Housing
• Google Search: Asheville Housing Crisis
• Google Scholar: Affordable Housing Initiatives Asheville
• Google News: Asheville Affordable Housing