Communication and Public Engagement

Neighborhood Services is dedicated to serving the residents of Asheville because involved, connected neighborhoods are essential for a strong and healthy community. The City of Asheville is committed to building partnerships with residential and business neighborhoods in order to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives, works and visits our community.

Our key objectives include:

• Effective engagement with various residential and merchant neighborhood groups and associations.
• Linking neighborhood organizations and City departments to address service needs.
• Amplifying Council’s strategic priority of Neighborhood & Climate Resilience.

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Map of Asheville’s Registered Neighborhood Organizations 

The City of Asheville recognizes that not all current or historic neighborhoods of our community are displayed on the Neighborhood Organization Map. The purpose of this map is to be a tool to facilitate relationship building between active resident groups and the City. 

To get a list of neighborhoods, click on the black box on this map’s bottom border.  Click on Options and download a list in CSV or you can sort lists in ascending and descending order and download.

What is a Neighborhood Organization?

A neighborhood organization is a group of community members who organize, share ideas, and cooperate to improve their neighborhood. In addition to residents, a neighborhood organization includes neighborhood businesses, churches, nonprofits and schools. Truly representative neighborhood organizations will have open meetings and inclusive communications and will respect and address concerns. By forming a neighborhood organization, members work toward common goals. With a unified voice, they respond to community concerns, preserve and improve their neighborhood, plan and hold social events and interface with local government and organizations.

Active neighborhood organizations may have elected leaders, voluntary dues, regular or semi-regular meetings, and/or social events aimed at building community. 

Is your community ready to become a registered neighborhood organization with the City of Asheville? Register online through the City of Asheville’s Neighborhood Registration Form.

Benefits of becoming a registered neighborhood organization with the City:

• Invites proactive two-way communication between neighborhoods, the City of Asheville and other external organizations looking to reach members of your community:
  • Recognition on the official Neighborhood Organization Map (located on the Neighborhood Services page), which is used by the City as well as by members of other entities in planning, outreach, and service delivery efforts.
  • Inclusion on official contact lists for neighborhood-level public meetings related to projects including development, infrastructure improvements, etc.
  • General recognition and promotion through the City’s engagement outlets, including Neighborhood Spotlight feature articles.
• Relationship building and organizational support:
  • Facilitated connection with the Neighborhood Advisory Committee with the option to participate in the Festival of Neighborhoods. 
  • Engagement and technical assistance from City staff; staff can attend regular neighborhood meetings, provide updates on City projects, and help streamline questions and issues that involve multiple City departments.
• Partnership on investment: An organized neighborhood group that stands for the interests of all its residents and stakeholders provides a mechanism to communicate as a collective voice when decisions are being made.
• Eligibility to apply for Neighborhood Matching Grants.

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Neighborhood Matching Grants

The Neighborhood Matching Grants Program helps Asheville’s neighborhood-based organizations fund various improvement projects by providing dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $5,000. Find more information on the grant opportunity here.

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Neighborhood Plans

Neighborhood planning allows residents to establish a community vision and share insights on what the future of our city’s neighborhoods can be. 

The Plan on a Page concept was originally initiated by the City Planning Department with the intention of helping neighborhood groups organize themselves and develop consensus around neighborhood priorities in preparation for the 2018 update of the Comprehensive Plan. 

Check out the current Neighborhood Plans.

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Neighborhood Newsletter

Our bi-weekly newsletter provides useful updates and information for neighborhoods. 

Subscribe here!

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Neighborhood Spotlight

Now that you have registered your neighborhood, let’s hear all about you!  Contact neighborhoods@ashevillenc.gov to have your neighborhood featured on our City news blog.

Hillside Terrace

Oakley

Redwood Forest

East End / Valley Street

West End Clingman Avenue Neighborhood (WECAN)

Kenilworth Forest

Kenilworth

South French Broad

Oakhurst

Shiloh

Do you want to have your neighborhood featured as a Neighborhood Spotlight? Contact us at neighborhoods@ashevillenc.gov.

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Get Involved

Through a variety of boards and commissions established by Asheville City Council, citizens can provide input on the policies that shape their government and their city.  There are currently more than 40 boards and commissions that advise the mayor and city council on an array of issues.  Check out the boards and commissions page for more information.

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Contact Information

Trey Irby, Neighborhood Services Specialist 
828-337-5358

neighborhoods@ashevillenc.gov