Homeless Initiative
Through a public-private partnership, the Homeless Initiative works to end chronic homelessness and reduce all types of homelessness over the next decade. The Homeless Initiative values community involvement, collaboration, and inclusive and creative problem solving. Through this process, outcomes are reported and evaluated, best practices are highlighted, and new resources are identified, strengthening the homeless service system and ultimately reducing the number of people who experience homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County.
Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area
HUD has designated the West Riverside Operation Weed and Seed (WROWS) area as a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy area. Several programs and projects have been funded with CDBG and have greatly impacted the success of this initiative. WROWS works to reduce crime by working with Asheville Police Department while building opportunities through working with residents and contracting with resource providers. WROWS participates in other city-wide collaborations that focus on gang prevention, economic opportunities for youth and school dropout prevention.
Information about the Weed and Seed initiative through the Department of Justice can be found here.
East of the Riverway Sustainable Neighborhood Project
The East of the Riverway Multimodal Neighborhood Project will demonstrate sustainable development in the City of Asheville. Asheville was awarded one of only 62 grants made nationally for sustainable community development. This award, funded through the US Department of Transportation TIGER II program, is being used to engage area residents in planning for stronger neighborhoods, and will result in “shovel ready” plans for the Town Branch and Clingman Forest Greenways, and for a 2.2 mile section for the Wilma Dykeman Riverway. Additionally, a community energy plan, infrastructure inventory and reuse plans for two city-owned properties will be developed.
Visit the website here: http://eastoftheriverway.com/
This local effort supports, and is supported by the Gro-WNC initiative, a three-year regional planning process being managed by the Land-of-Sky Regional Council, and funded through a HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant. The City of Asheville is a member of the Gro-WNC Consortium. Existing development plans throughout the region will be integrated into a Regional Sustainable Development Plan.
Information about the Regional Sustainable Community initiative can be found at: www.gro-wnc.org
Additional information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities can be found here: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/
Contact Information
Jeff Staudinger, Community Development Director
City of Asheville Planning & Development Department
Phone: 828-259-5723