Redevelopment of City-owned Land

The housing focus of the Community & Economic Development Department is to partner with area non-profits, agencies, and for-profit developers to produce, preserve, and protect affordable and mixed-income communities in Asheville.

Check out the Community Investments in Affordable Housing Story Map to learn more about our programs and properties.

Policies for Implementing Affordable Housing on City-owned Land

In 2019, City Council adopted a policy for implementing affordable housing on city owned land, outlining the process and goals for affordable housing on City-owned Land.

Affordable Housing Baseline 1:
When developing City property, a minimum 20% of all units must be affordable to individuals and families at 60% Area Median Income and accept Housing Choice Vouchers.

Affordable Housing Baseline 2:
Affordability period of no less than 20 years, with a strong preference of 30 years or longer.

Exceeding the Baseline:
It is the City’s strong preference that the development of City property exceed these baselines, where appropriate, and/or offer other community benefits.

City-owned Land Considered for Affordable Housing Current Listing
City-owned Land Considered for Affordable Housing
Project Location	Timeline for Development	Concept Drawing
The Asheland Avenue Development is a 1.09 acre site being considered for the development of affordable housing by Haywood Street Community Development.	UPDATE 8/16/21: After the vote for the sale of the property on Asheland Avenue was pulled from City Council’s agenda in February (see update below), the City has decided not to move forward with the project in this location. Since the property came into the City’s ownership through urban renewal, no sale or change of use will happen until a new policy on how to address City-owned urban renewal land is created with input from the Reparations Commission.
50 Asheland Avenue is a 0.89 acre site near the ART station being considered for the development of affordable housing and expansion of transit services.	The City has closed on this property and is seeking grant funding through Federal Transit Administration to start the planning process.
The Neighborhood Lots for Affordable Housing project seeks to develop Kentucky Drive, Lufty Avenue, and West Chestnut Street, which are three small City- owned vacant sites.	City Council voted to sell the lots on Lufty Avenue and West Chestnut Street to the Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust, which will develop affordable single-family homes. The lot on Kentucky Drive was removed from consideration.
319 Biltmore Avenue is a 5.3 acre vacant site.	A request for developer qualifications will be made in 2020.
Deaverview Purpose-Built Community, located at 411 Deaverview Road, is a 16-acre vacant site.	A request for developer qualifications will be made in 2020.
81-91 Riverside Drive is 1.75 acres vacant site.	Timeline for development it to yet be determined.
171-179 South Charlotte Street is 6 acres, and is currently the City Public Works Garage and Fleet Management locations.	Timeline for development it to yet be determined.
Under Construction! 360 Hilliard Avenue is an 86 unit mixed income rental development, with 34 affordable units.	The developer is Kassinger Development Group, Inc. with a completion timeline of Fall 2021.
Sold! 427 Broadway is 0.38 acres of vacant property to be developed for mixed use commercial & residential. At least 8 of the total housing units built will be affordable for those with an income at 60% of area median income.	The developer is Reed Creek Greenway Plaza, LLC. with a completion timeline that is yet to be determined.