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Calling all Asheville homebuilders: Share your input on sustainability rebates

The City of Asheville is reevaluating its Sustainability Rebate Program and wants to hear directly from local home builders. The program currently provides rebates on permit fees for new or renovated one and two family dwellings built under the North Carolina Residential Code that include above-minimum state code elements like solar panels, energy efficiency upgrades, [...]

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The City of Asheville allocates over $4.8 million to affordable housing projects via the Housing Trust Fund

The City of Asheville Housing Trust Fund (HTF) exists to support the development and preservation of affordable housing within the city. The HTF provides financial assistance in the form of loans to developers and nonprofit organizations to help create and preserve affordable housing units. On April 23, City Council reviewed 2024-25 HTF proposals [...]

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New Federal Housing Administration policies expand financing for Accessory Dwelling Units, supporting the City of Asheville’s housing policy

The city announces that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) just released a new policy that now expands access to mortgage financing for homes that have or will include Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). ADUs are also known as backyard cottages, mother-in-law suites, basement apartments, ancillary units, carriage houses, and garage apartments. The City of Asheville supports ADUs as a way to spur the development of more affordable housing options and promote diversity in the types of housing choices available for residents.

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The Community Reparations Commission releases draft recommendations

The Community Reparations Commission has been meeting since April of 2022 to develop short, medium, and long term recommendations. A batch of draft recommendations has been released. The recommendations align with the five impact focus areas of the commission: housing, economic development, criminal justice, education, and health & wellness. These draft recommendations are [...]

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Community Reparations Summit to be Held Oct. 7; Public Invited to Attend and Provide Feedback

Since March of 2022, the Community Reparations Commission has been working to establish short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations for consideration by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County Government. On Saturday, Oct. 7, a Community Reparations Summit will be held, providing an opportunity for the public to hear directly from the impact focus areas of [...]

Vice Mayor Sanra Kilgore stnads with new Habitat for Humanity homeowner

City of Asheville celebrates new homeowners with Habitat for Humanity

For those hoping to secure a home – there’s nothing quite like signing your name on the dotted line.  On August 3, several City of Asheville Council Members were on hand to watch that dream come true for some local families. The City of Asheville was one of the sponsors, working with the local nonprofit Habitat for [...]

Local examples of Missing Middle Housing including an accessory dwelling unit (left), small apartment house (center), and townhomes (right)

City of Asheville seeks input from renters for Missing Middle Housing Study; Public workshop scheduled for August 4

In April 2023 the City began a Missing Middle Housing study to identify barriers that negatively impact the production of housing supply in Asheville. The term “missing middle” is meant to describe a range of house-scale buildings with multiple units that are compatible in scale and form with detached single-family homes, including [...]

City of Asheville announces new Division Manager for Community Development, Dennis Newburn

The City of Asheville welcomes Dennis Newburn to its Community and Economic Development department. Newburn will serve as Community Development Division Manager and manage the HOME and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs. He brings extensive experience in the areas of program administration, project management, contract compliance, program monitoring, and community planning. Newburn comes to Asheville [...]

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City Council approves submission of Annual Action Plan to support affordable housing, economic development and more

On February 28, 2023, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the 2023-2024 formula allocations for the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership programs. With Council’s approval on May 9, the City’s FY 23-24 Annual Action Plan can now be submitted to HUD.  CDBG and HOME are federal [...]

Local examples of Missing Middle Housing including an accessory dwelling unit (left), small apartment house (center), and townhomes (right)

City of Asheville Approves Missing Middle Housing Study Contract

Asheville, North Carolina – On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, the City of Asheville’s City Council approved a $115,000 contract to Opticos Design, Inc., and their subcontractor Cascadia Partners, for a Missing Middle Housing study. Missing Middle Housing refers to housing types, such as duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes, and townhomes that are largely missing [...]