Summary (Updated 6/8/26): Last week, GAP supporters sent emails and made public comments urging Buncombe County to develop a comprehensive anti-displacement strategy. We appreciate everyone who took action. The good news is that County Commissioners clearly heard concerns from residents about displacement and housing instability. The disappointing news is that there was no meaningful discussion among commissioners about creating an anti-displacement strategy and no commitment to future action. As recovery continues and housing pressures remain high, we believe this issue cannot be ignored. The need for a coordinated countywide approach to preventing displacement remains as urgent as ever, and GAP will continue pushing for action in the months ahead.

Original Summary: Buncombe County is considering a $40 million housing bond and adopting its FY27 budget, but continues to make major housing and spending decisions without a comprehensive anti-displacement strategy. We support the County’s continued investments in affordable housing, but urge the Commission to maximize the impact of these funds by adopting a framework that identifies residents most vulnerable to displacement and guides public investments accordingly.

The facts: On Tuesday, June 2, the Buncombe County Commission will consider two significant housing-related actions.

First, the Commission will move forward with a proposed bond referendum that would allow voters to decide whether to authorize $40 million in housing bonds. County staff have indicated that previously approved affordable housing bond funds have already been committed and that significant housing needs remain.

Second, the Commission is scheduled to adopt its FY27 budget. The budget includes funding for affordable housing and other community investments intended to address local needs.

Taken together, these actions demonstrate that Buncombe County recognizes housing affordability and housing stability as major community concerns. You can see the presentation slides for the housing bond here. You can read the latest County Budget in Brief draft here.

Our Assessment: We support increased investments in housing and community well-being. The proposed housing bond and housing-related budget investments are important steps forward.

At the same time, Buncombe County continues to make major decisions about housing, economic development, public safety, transportation, and disaster recovery without a formal anti-displacement framework. Without one, the County lacks a consistent way to identify where displacement pressures are greatest, evaluate the impacts of public decisions, and ensure resources are reaching the people and neighborhoods most at risk.

The result is not necessarily bad policy. The result is missed opportunities. Public investments can accomplish more when they are guided by data and analysis about who is being displaced, where displacement is occurring, and what interventions are most effective at helping residents remain in their homes and communities.

We have raised this issue on 27 separate occasions in the past six months, but have yet to see it discussed at a County Commission meeting or otherwise given serious consideration by County leaders.

Our Proposal: We continue to call on Buncombe County to adopt a comprehensive anti-displacement strategy. Such a strategy would identify neighborhoods experiencing displacement pressure, track housing stability indicators, evaluate major policy decisions through an anti-displacement lens, and align public investments with the goal of helping residents remain in place. An anti-displacement strategy would not replace investments like the housing bond or affordable housing funding. It would strengthen them by helping ensure those resources are targeted where they can do the greatest good.

Read our proposal here. 

Things to do: No action suggested at this time. Last week, we invited you to send an email to the County Commission and sign up to join us in making a public comment on June 2, asking County leaders to pair housing investments with a comprehensive anti-displacement strategy.

Report Back

There was no meaningful discussion among commissioners about creating an anti-displacement strategy and no commitment to future action.

Total GAP Supporter Actions Taken: 15

Recipients and Responses:

Buncombe County Commission

• County Commission Chair Amanda Edwards: No response
• County Commissioner Al Whitesides: No response
• County Commissioner Drew Ball: No response
• County Commissioner Jennifer Horton: No response
• County Commissioner Martin Moore: No response
• County Commissioner Parker Sloane: No response
• County Commissioner Terri Wells: No response