Government Accountability Project of Asheville

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

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Buncombe County still not taking action on displacement

Buncombe County is moving forward on several major policy decisions—affecting taxes, land use, and housing—without any visible framework for analyzing or preventing displacement. While County staff have recently acknowledged the importance of these issues and pointed to existing plans and internal processes, the County has still not taken meaningful steps to provide transparent analysis or develop a comprehensive anti-displacement policy—despite repeated community requests and clear evidence that its decisions are shaping who can afford to live here. At the same time, the County has not responded to our recent call to postpone the property assessment appeal deadline, a missed opportunity to reduce immediate displacement pressure.

This week’s County Commission agenda highlights the stakes. From the proposed unified fire district to major bond investments and floodplain regulations, the County is making decisions with real consequences for cost burdens and community stability—yet without clear, public analysis or mitigation. Meanwhile, the City of Asheville has begun a coordinated, cross-departmental process to develop an anti-displacement strategy. The contrast between acknowledgment and action is becoming harder to ignore.

Help Expand Government Accountability in Asheville

We’ve had some of our most significant successes lately, with the opportunity for even more impact the rest of this year. Will you help us expand our impact in Asheville and Buncombe County for the rest of this year? Learn more about our fundraising campaign for 2026 here.