Asheville Secures $225 Million for Community Recovery

News Summary

Asheville has been awarded a $225 million Community Development Block Grant aimed at disaster recovery. City officials are actively engaging the community in planning how the funds will be allocated. The final public meeting will be held on February 26, where residents can provide feedback crucial for shaping the action plan. The grant, part of a greater federal initiative, focuses on addressing unmet disaster-related needs in the community, prioritizing low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.

Asheville Ready to Build a Brighter Future with $225 Million Recovery Grant

Asheville, the vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is stepping up its efforts to bounce back from past disasters with a hefty $225 million Community Development Block Grant aimed at disaster recovery. This significant funding is all about helping the community rebuild and recover in key areas like infrastructure, housing, and economic development.

Community Input: Your Voice Matters!

City officials in Asheville are keen to involve the community in the planning process. To kick things off, they are currently drafting an action plan that will outline how this substantial grant money will be put to use. To make sure everyone’s voice is heard, the city is hosting a series of community meetings throughout February, making it easy for locals to give their feedback and share their thoughts on what the community really needs.

Final Meeting Upcoming

If you haven’t had the chance to attend one of these events yet, mark your calendars! The final public meeting is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, at the East Asheville Public Library. This is a great opportunity for community members to learn more about the CDBG-DR program, understand the funding process, and find out how feedback will shape the action plan.

What’s Up with the Funding?

To give you a bit more context, this grant falls under the federal Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is also lending a hand, supporting the city in creating this essential action plan. The focus of the funding is clear—it aims to tackle unmet disaster-related needs in housing, economic revitalization, and infrastructure restoration.

A Chance to Make Your Voice Heard

At each meeting, residents will be given the opportunity to express their views about the disaster recovery efforts and share any unmet needs they’ve noticed within their communities. This input is incredibly valuable, as it will be directly included in the draft action plan and help guide the decisions regarding how funding will be allocated. The city aims for a community-centered approach when figuring out how to make the most out of these funds.

Feedback Period and Next Steps

Once the dust settles from the community meetings, the draft action plan will be published on the city’s new website on Tuesday, March 4. This will provide another chance for the public to weigh in, ensuring that all voices are considered before finalizing the plan. Feedback from residents will play a pivotal role as city leaders aim to submit the refined plan to HUD for approval in April.

The Need for Quick Recovery

The funding for Asheville was announced during a press conference where significant funding announcements were made, including a total of $1.65 billion allocated for recovery efforts related to recent disasters. Of this, Asheville’s portion is a promising $225,010,000, primarily directed toward addressing critical issues arising from past hardships.

Setting Priorities for the Future

City staff will prioritize initiatives that benefit low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, ensuring that at least 70% of the grant funds support these communities. The action plan, set to be finalized before the summer of 2023, will detail the specific initiatives that will be launched with the funding.

Stay in the Loop

For those eager to stay informed about the progress of these recovery efforts, a new website has been launched. Not only will it facilitate community feedback, but it will also serve as a valuable resource for tracking how Asheville moves forward in its recovery journey.

As we can see, Asheville is making strides toward a brighter future, and with the help of its residents, the city is well on its way to turning this grant into meaningful changes and improvements that will benefit everyone.

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Additional Resources

• WLOS: Asheville Hosts Public Meetings on Disaster Recovery Funds
• Wikipedia: Community Development Block Grant
• AVL Today: $225 Million Helene Recovery Fund in Asheville
• Google Search: Asheville Disaster Recovery Community Development
• WLOS: Asheville City Council Decision on Affordable Housing Project
• Google Scholar: Asheville Housing Development Funding