QUESTIONABLE
Promising Anti-Displacement Commitment Needs a Timeline (new)
On Tuesday, July 27, the Asheville City Council will consider a resolution acknowledging the harm caused by redlining, urban renewal, zoning decisions, and development pressures, and committing the City to a comprehensive anti-displacement strategy. We appreciate both the depth of the resolution’s historical analysis and the direction it gives the City Manager. But the resolution provides no timeline for developing or implementing the promised protections. Before adopting the resolution, Council should amend it to direct the City Manager to return within 90 days with a step-by-step implementation plan, measurable milestones, meaningful community participation, and a schedule for public progress reports.
Home Repair Can Prevent Displacement — But Who Will Receive Help? (new)
On Tuesday, July 27, the Asheville City Council will consider adopting a Home Repair Policy and allocating $3 million from the 2024 Affordable Housing Bond for its implementation. The program could help lower-income homeowners address dangerous conditions, accessibility needs, weatherization, and other critical repairs that might otherwise force them from their homes. But staff estimates that the allocation will serve only 68–108 households, while as many as 4,000 Asheville homes may need repairs. Council should approve the program while requiring a transparent selection system, meaningful priority for households at greatest displacement risk, hardship protections, and public reporting on who receives assistance.
Sweeten Creek Road Project: “100% Affordable” — But Affordable to Whom? (new)
Council will consider a Sweeten Creek Road apartment development whose conditions designate every unit as affordable to households at or below 80% AMI for at least 20 years. That sounds promising, but the presentation does not provide the total unit count, rents, bedroom mix, income distribution, utility costs, or number of homes serving households below 30%, 50%, or 60% AMI.
PROBLEMATIC
A Better Transit Network for Many Riders — But Not Everyone (new)
City staff will present a proposed redesign of Asheville’s bus network that could improve reliability, increase frequency on important corridors, and expand the number of jobs an average low-income resident can reach by approximately 15%. It would also eliminate direct service to several destinations, including ABCCM’s Transformation Village, MAHEC, the Social Security office, and West Haywood. Staff recommends the draft network, but Council is not expected to take final action until August. Before that vote, the City should explain why it continues to recommend the proposal despite overwhelmingly negative community feedback, clearly identify what – if anything – changed in response to that feedback, and develop equitable solutions for riders who would lose essential bus access.
Don’t Trade Away the Asheville Mall’s Housing Future (new)
The owner of the Asheville Mall is asking Council to rezone approximately 41 acres from Urban Place to Regional Business without presenting a specific redevelopment project. The change would weaken mixed-use, walkability, and transit-supportive development requirements while allowing unrestricted drive-throughs and broader automobile-oriented commercial uses.
REPORT BACKS
The County’s property-tax dilemma makes the case for an anti-displacement analysis framework
Last week, we asked Buncombe County to explain how it will evaluate the displacement consequences of its recent property-tax decisions and protect residents who may be forced from their homes. We have received no response. GAPavl will develop a next-step advocacy plan and share it before the County Commission’s August 4 meeting.