Community Hub Network

Last updated or reviewed on September 22, 2026

Hubs are trusted, community-led facilities that enhance quality of life by providing services and coordinating shared resources. 

A resilience hub is a community resource to address everyday needs and support residents before, during, and after emergencies. Hubs bring neighbors together to build connections and provide services like youth and adult programming and community gatherings. During emergencies, they address critical needs such as electricity, information, and resource distribution and can adapt to meet emerging needs. Trusted, community-run spaces are most impactful as resilience hub facilities and rely on coordinated networks to meet ongoing community needs.  

A Community Hub Network approach recognizes that communities’ needs are often met by a variety of facilities and services. Connected and coordinated hubs and activities allow for nimble responses and unique community-led functions. Below are a graphic and definitions that illustrate the Community Hub Network. 

Image of smaller interconnected circles that represent the 4 parts of a the community hub network. Parts include trusted "anchor" hubs, everyday connections, informal community spaces, and City support.

Hub Network Parts Definitions:

ANCHORS: The places people already trust – Non-profit, church and community-led facilities.

CONNECTIONS: The everyday touches- the fabric that links anchors, community touch points and City support to each other.

COMMUNITY: The informal places where neighbors connect – porches, neighborhood spots.

CITY: Working to break down barriers and help resource the network through everyday programs, services, and communications that support what the community already built, without taking it over.

Community Hub Network Next Steps

The Resilience Hub Mapping Project documented the existence and importance of a strong community hub network. Project details, including overall findings and recommendations to strengthen Asheville’s network, are included in the final report. Based on the recommendations, the City of Asheville is now planning to use more than $2 million in federal Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to invest in community facilities. Keep reading for more information regarding the funding opportunity.

Details on the CDBG-DR Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), application processes and eligibility will be available in the Fall of 2026. Below is some general background information and a preliminary outline of anticipated program details. To stay up to date on the NOFO release and technical assistance opportunities, please sign up for project updates at the bottom of the page.  

General background provided to the 8/2/26 People and Environment Recovery Board and the 8/18/26 Planning, Economic Development and Environment Council Committee.  CDBG-DR Infrastructure Program’s goal is to facilitate long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and mitigation efforts.

  • In February 2026, $2.125M was reserved for resilience hub investments.
  • CDBG-DR funds will allow the City to invest in privately-owned facilities that provide year round services and can respond during emergencies. Private facility investment is typically highly restricted with steady-state city resources. 
  • Federal regulations still apply and using the funds will require additional administrative capacity for reporting. 

Eligible Categories of Infrastructure Improvements that align with the Resilience Hub Mapping Project Recommendations include:

  • Redundant Power Infrastructure: Solar panels and battery backup systems.
  • Communications Infrastructure: Satellite-based broadband service system, emergency notification systems, flood warning systems, remote monitoring or internet fiber enhancements. 
  • Landscape & Site Infrastructure: Ecosystem enhancements that improve food production capability, biodiversity, onsite rainwater capture and water management such as rain gardens, rain barrels, bioswales, greenhouses, or pollinator habitat. 
  • ADA Accessibility Enhancements: On-site improvements that increase ADA accessibility such as ramps, handrails, bathroom facility enhancements, resource relocation to accessible locations, and similar efforts to remove barriers for differently-abled residents.