What we do Last updated or reviewed on July 9, 2024 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. Contact: Megan Owens, Business Services Administrator. Announcements Check back for current announcements. Connect Address 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 7148 Phone Number 828-251-4098 Email Address mowens@ashevillenc.gov Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.DirectorNikki Reid, nreid@ashevillenc.govBusiness Services AdministratorMegan Owens, mowens@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 Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC) is the collaborative planning body responsible for developing and overseeing a comprehensive and well-coordinated system of effective services designed to prevent and quickly resolve occurrences of homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County. The CoC has four components: A membership body of individuals and organizations with an interest in understanding homelessness [...] Affordable Housing Plan The project will update the 2008 Affordable Housing Plan that was created by the Mayor’s Taskforce on Affordable Housing, which was last updated in 2015. 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. Explore Related ProjectsCommunity and Economic Development News City builds Asheville Fire Department Community Responder Program and refines homelessness services information page Posted on July 25, 2024 by Kim Miller As a part of its Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the Asheville City Council included 8 permanent positions for the Community Responder Team, in alignment with Homelessness Strategies and Reimagining Public Safety priorities. With the understanding that homelessness is a crisis, not a crime, Asheville Fire Department (AFD) Community Responders will be the lead and first on-the-scene [...] City Council takes action to include $80 Million GO Bond proposal on November ballot Posted on July 23, 2024 by Kim Miller Council members solidified totals in four different categories: Affordable Housing, Transportation, Parks & Recreation, and Public Safety. City of Asheville announces new project to enhance neighborhood resilience, connectivity Posted on July 2, 2024 by Kim Miller The Community Space Upfit Project is an ARPA-funded initiative to provide five community spaces with technology and infrastructure enabling virtual community meetings, and emergency briefings: connecting residents in real-time no matter the situation. In a pioneering move aimed at bolstering neighborhood connectivity and climate resilience, the City of Asheville will be enhancing five community spaces across [...] 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.
Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC) is the collaborative planning body responsible for developing and overseeing a comprehensive and well-coordinated system of effective services designed to prevent and quickly resolve occurrences of homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County. The CoC has four components: A membership body of individuals and organizations with an interest in understanding homelessness [...]
Affordable Housing Plan The project will update the 2008 Affordable Housing Plan that was created by the Mayor’s Taskforce on Affordable Housing, which was last updated in 2015.
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.
City builds Asheville Fire Department Community Responder Program and refines homelessness services information page Posted on July 25, 2024 by Kim Miller As a part of its Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the Asheville City Council included 8 permanent positions for the Community Responder Team, in alignment with Homelessness Strategies and Reimagining Public Safety priorities. With the understanding that homelessness is a crisis, not a crime, Asheville Fire Department (AFD) Community Responders will be the lead and first on-the-scene [...]
City Council takes action to include $80 Million GO Bond proposal on November ballot Posted on July 23, 2024 by Kim Miller Council members solidified totals in four different categories: Affordable Housing, Transportation, Parks & Recreation, and Public Safety.
City of Asheville announces new project to enhance neighborhood resilience, connectivity Posted on July 2, 2024 by Kim Miller The Community Space Upfit Project is an ARPA-funded initiative to provide five community spaces with technology and infrastructure enabling virtual community meetings, and emergency briefings: connecting residents in real-time no matter the situation. In a pioneering move aimed at bolstering neighborhood connectivity and climate resilience, the City of Asheville will be enhancing five community spaces across [...]
