POSITIVE
Buncombe County can turn its Swannanoa plan into an anti-displacement test case
Buncombe County Commissioners will receive a briefing Tuesday on the proposed Swannanoa Small Area and Resilience Plan, which will guide growth, recovery and investment in the community for the next 20 years. We support the plan and the extensive community work behind it. As its 140-plus policies and actions move toward implementation, we believe the County should take one additional step: review significant actions individually for potential displacement risks and consider ways to reduce those risks before consequential decisions are made.
REPORT BACKS
Asheville considers $6 million to prevent homelessness
City Council unanimously approved the $6 million Right at Home homelessness-prevention initiative. The discussion also addressed much of what we hoped to learn. Staff explained that the program is specifically designed to reach people at greatest risk of homelessness before they lose their housing, with a “fast to act” model intended to avoid administrative delays and a network of community organizations providing assistance. The program will track participants through the Homeless Management Information System and undergo rigorous evaluation, with the City reporting progress through the Continuum of Care. This should provide important information about whether participating households remain housed and which interventions work — exactly the kind of learning we asked this initiative to produce.
Asheville considers 23 affordable homes in Shiloh
City Council unanimously approved the rezoning allowing Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity to build 23 affordable homes in Shiloh. The discussion reinforced the project’s strong relationship with the neighborhood: Shiloh Community Association representatives spoke in support, and Habitat said the plan had improved through its work with residents. Council did not, however, substantially answer our questions about exactly what income levels below 80% AMI the homes will serve or whether existing Shiloh residents will receive particular opportunities to purchase them. Habitat did clarify that it participates in the Housing Authority’s homeownership voucher program and would be willing to use that program in this development, potentially creating another path to homeownership for lower-income households.
Clear Safeguards Can Strengthen Asheville’s HOME-ARP Plan
City Council unanimously approved the HOME-ARP amendment — and added an important transparency requirement before doing so. Councilmember Bo Hess proposed requiring stronger public reporting on HOME-ARP funds distributed through nonprofit partners, including how much money is awarded, how much goes to direct assistance versus staffing and administration, how many households are served, and what outcomes result. Council incorporated that requirement into the motion before unanimously approving it. This responds meaningfully to our call for regular public reporting that allows Council and residents to see whom the program is serving and how well it is meeting its stated goals.
Asheville considers 23 affordable homes in Shiloh
City Council will consider a rezoning that would allow Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity to build 23 affordable homes in the Shiloh neighborhood. We support expanding affordable housing and homeownership opportunities, particularly in historically underserved neighborhoods, while encouraging attention to affordability for existing Shiloh residents and long-term housing stability.