Summary: 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.

The Facts: Council will consider rezoning approximately 4.45 acres at Tried Street and West Chapel Road for a Habitat for Humanity development consisting of 18 townhomes and five single-family homes.

All 23 homes would be affordable to households earning no more than 80% of area median income (AMI), with affordability protections lasting no fewer than 20 years. City staff reports that the proposal is consistent with the Shiloh Community Plan developed in collaboration with neighborhood residents.

You can read the staff report for this issue here and see the presentation slides here.

Our Assessment: Affordable homeownership can help families build financial security and establish lasting roots in their communities. We welcome Habitat for Humanity’s proposed investment in Shiloh, and appreciate how they have developed it in close communication with neighborhood residents.

At the same time, it’s important to point out that affordability measured against the regional median income does not necessarily reflect what existing neighborhood residents can afford. We would welcome clarification on the income levels these homes are expected to serve, whether current Shiloh residents will have meaningful opportunities to purchase them, and how affordability will be protected over the long term.

These questions are particularly important in a historically Black neighborhood where preserving community stability and opportunity has long been a priority.

Things to do: Email City Council to support the Habitat proposal while encouraging affordability and access for existing Shiloh residents, using our template above. (The template also includes the other issues in today’s report.)