Background

The project updates the 2008 Affordable Housing Plan that was created by the Mayor’s Taskforce on Affordable Housing, which was last updated in 2015. Every five years, the city works with the Housing Consortium to write a Consolidated Plan which has goals and strategies to be used for federal funding. The City and community was in need of a plan that directs the use of local funds and resources including the Housing Trust Fund, Land Use Incentive Grants and Bond dollars. The 2008 strategies did include strategies pertaining to unhoused people. An updated plan will also help the city plan for any future bond programs, and outline funding priorities for partnerships with other institutions (Buncombe County, Dogwood Health Trust). 

The new Affordable Housing Plan: 

  • Includes an updated housing needs assessment, which is imperative given the changes in the market and demographic shifts during the pandemic. 

  • Recommends a set of priorities for programming, funding, and new policy directions 

  • Brings together stakeholders, advocates, and community members, engaging them to build a foundation for the plan and the future direction of affordable housing in the city. 

  • Communicates to developers, both nonprofit and for-profit, what the city is looking to achieve. 

  • Makes recommendations for program changes in existing programs (Housing Trust Fund,  Land Use Incentive Program)

  • Builds a foundation for a future affordable housing bond. 

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Fall - Winter 2022: Project Planning

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April 2023: Consultant Bid and Application Phase

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June 2023: Grant from Dogwood Health Trust

Award of a $50,000 grant from Dogwood Health Trust to supplement City funds for an Affordable Housing Plan 

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June 2023: Enterprise Selected as Plan Consultant

Enterprise Community Partners

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Sept 2023: Enterprise Begins Analysis

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January 2024: Community Engagement

Enterprise consultants will visit Asheville and engagement events will be held to collect input for on personal housing expericences, perceptions, and priorities. Open houses are scheduled for January 27. 

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March/April 2024: Community Engagement

Enterprise consultants will visit Asheville and engagement events will be held to share the results of their analysis and the content of previous community engagement and the housing survey. 

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May/June 2024: Final Reports to AHAC, HCD, and City Council

Enterprise consultants are meeting with stakeholder groups and developing an implementation roadmap.

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June 2024: City Council Work Session on the draft of the Affordable Housing Plan

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September 2024: Final Draft released to the Public