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• Buncombe County is advancing major decisions that impact displacement without clear analysis or a coordinated policy response (updated)
• Appeal deadline for property tax reappraisals is too early (updated)

• The 50 Coxe Avenue affordable housing development should do more to prevent displacement (new)

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This week’s GAP Report focuses on one new item: the proposed redevelopment of 50 Coxe Avenue, where Buncombe County is seeking rezoning approval from the City of Asheville to build more than 200 units of affordable housing downtown. This project represents a major public investment and a meaningful opportunity to expand housing supply in a high-cost, transit-accessible area. We support moving this project forward.

At the same time, this is a critical turning point, a moment where the City can strengthen the project to better prevent displacement. Projects like this move through a series of decision points where key questions can either be raised or missed—and this is one of those moments. Homelessness is an affordability issue. As homelessness continues to rise in our region, and as data shows that the lowest-income households are most at risk of displacement from stable housing, City Council has a responsibility to ask whether this project is structured to help meet that need. As currently proposed, only a limited share of units will be affordable at the deepest levels, affordability may be time-limited, and there is no clear commitment to pairing units with vouchers or supportive housing. This decision presents an immediate opportunity for the City to invest in both long-term affordability and in stemming the tide of homelessness.

This GAP report also provides updates on two County issues, including the need for a postponed deadline for property appraisal appeals, which is still pending.

Help Expand Government Accountability in Asheville

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