What we do Last updated or reviewed on November 15, 2023 The Community and Economic Development department fosters an equitable community and economy. We work to preserve and increase the availability of affordable housing, improve access to services, create paths toward economic mobility, promote resiliency, and support sustainable growth. We collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to enhance the quality of life and availability of opportunities for all in Asheville. The department includes four divisions, Affordable Housing, Community Development, Homeless Strategy, and Economic Development; and three programs, Business Inclusion Office, City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA), and City Real Estate Office. The department’s success is measured through the lens of the City’s comprehensive plan and vision, focusing on creating a resilient and thriving local economy, fostering an equitable and diverse community, preserving and developing quality affordable housing, and engaging in responsible regionalism. Contact: Megan Greer, Business Services Administrator. Attention: HOME ARP Public comment period closed Monday, March 20, 2023 for more information please vist our Public Notices webpage here. Connect Address 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 7148 Phone Number 828-251-4098 Email Address mgreer@ashevillenc.gov Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.DirectorNikki Reid, nreid@ashevillenc.govBusiness Services AdministratorMegan Greer, mgreer@ashevillenc.govAdditional LinksStaff Directory Related Services Find support for issues related to homelessness The goal of this page is to provide information and resources for residents and businesses to understand how to respond to issues related to homelessness. Minority / Woman Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification Find information to register for certification as a Minority, Woman, and/or Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) with the City of Asheville. Business Inclusion (ABI) The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city. Find cold weather emergency shelter When extreme cold weather is expected, the Asheville Homeless Coalition issues a Code Purple Alert. Participating homeless shelters voluntarily add space beyond their normal capacity to keep as many people as possible out of the cold. Find financial support for your Asheville business Learn about financial support that may be available for your business. Find or register a minority, women or disabled-owned business Resources for finding or registering a minority, women or disabled-owned business. Explore Related ServicesRelated Projects HOME-ARP Program Funding The City of Asheville has prepared the Allocation Plan for the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program. The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan sets out how the City of Asheville and the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium propose to use an estimated $4,699,862 in federal HOME-ARP Program funds. Disparity Study 2023 The City of Asheville’s Community and Economic Development Department has commissioned Miller³ Consulting, Inc. to conduct a five year comprehensive Disparity Study of its contractual awards in goods, professional and general services, and construction. Understanding Unsheltered Homelessness Early in 2022, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and Dogwood Health Trust formed a collaborative to respond to the increased need, and Dogwood Health Trust offered to fund a consultancy to bring national expertise to the local community to better understand and address the crisis of unsheltered homelessness. The City is serving as the contracting point of contact for this collaborative, and published a Request for Proposals in February 2022 on behalf of the group. Explore Related ProjectsCommunity and Economic Development News The 2023 City of Asheville Disparity Study supports extending its race- and gender-conscious contracting policy Posted on October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville has released a Disparity Study report detailing its contracting and purchasing activities and practices for the past 5 years. A Disparity Study is a type of research study that is designed to assess whether there are disparities, or differences, in the participation rates and opportunities for various groups in a particular program or industry. The goal of a disparity study is to identify any barriers or obstacles that may be preventing certain groups from participating fully, and to develop strategies to promote greater diversity and inclusion. New Federal Housing Administration policies expand financing for Accessory Dwelling Units, supporting the City of Asheville’s housing policy Posted on October 23, 2023 by Kim Miller 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. City of Asheville Business Inclusion Office to Host second MWBE Vendor Outreach Event in Asheville Posted on October 23, 2023 by Kim Miller The Asheville Business Inclusion (ABI) office is excited to announce it will host a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) outreach event on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event welcomes all Minority- and Women-owned businesses operating in the construction trades or offering services related to construction. Attendance from Prime contractors seeking collaboration opportunities with MWBE vendors is highly encouraged. Explore Community and Economic Development News
Find support for issues related to homelessness The goal of this page is to provide information and resources for residents and businesses to understand how to respond to issues related to homelessness.
Minority / Woman Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification Find information to register for certification as a Minority, Woman, and/or Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) with the City of Asheville.
Business Inclusion (ABI) The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city.
Find cold weather emergency shelter When extreme cold weather is expected, the Asheville Homeless Coalition issues a Code Purple Alert. Participating homeless shelters voluntarily add space beyond their normal capacity to keep as many people as possible out of the cold.
Find financial support for your Asheville business Learn about financial support that may be available for your business.
Find or register a minority, women or disabled-owned business Resources for finding or registering a minority, women or disabled-owned business.
HOME-ARP Program Funding The City of Asheville has prepared the Allocation Plan for the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program. The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan sets out how the City of Asheville and the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium propose to use an estimated $4,699,862 in federal HOME-ARP Program funds.
Disparity Study 2023 The City of Asheville’s Community and Economic Development Department has commissioned Miller³ Consulting, Inc. to conduct a five year comprehensive Disparity Study of its contractual awards in goods, professional and general services, and construction.
Understanding Unsheltered Homelessness Early in 2022, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and Dogwood Health Trust formed a collaborative to respond to the increased need, and Dogwood Health Trust offered to fund a consultancy to bring national expertise to the local community to better understand and address the crisis of unsheltered homelessness. The City is serving as the contracting point of contact for this collaborative, and published a Request for Proposals in February 2022 on behalf of the group.
The 2023 City of Asheville Disparity Study supports extending its race- and gender-conscious contracting policy Posted on October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville has released a Disparity Study report detailing its contracting and purchasing activities and practices for the past 5 years. A Disparity Study is a type of research study that is designed to assess whether there are disparities, or differences, in the participation rates and opportunities for various groups in a particular program or industry. The goal of a disparity study is to identify any barriers or obstacles that may be preventing certain groups from participating fully, and to develop strategies to promote greater diversity and inclusion.
New Federal Housing Administration policies expand financing for Accessory Dwelling Units, supporting the City of Asheville’s housing policy Posted on October 23, 2023 by Kim Miller 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.
City of Asheville Business Inclusion Office to Host second MWBE Vendor Outreach Event in Asheville Posted on October 23, 2023 by Kim Miller The Asheville Business Inclusion (ABI) office is excited to announce it will host a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) outreach event on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event welcomes all Minority- and Women-owned businesses operating in the construction trades or offering services related to construction. Attendance from Prime contractors seeking collaboration opportunities with MWBE vendors is highly encouraged.