What we do Last updated or reviewed on November 14, 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. Helene Recovery Resources Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant Fund – The Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant Fund is designed to provide direct grant awards to small businesses in the City of Asheville and Buncombe County that have been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. Businesses may apply for a grant up to $25,000 to support recovery expenses not covered by insurance or other funding sources. Applications are open and close on November 27, 2024. The Fund is supported by a collaborative of public and private partners that are committed to helping our local businesses recover. Initial funding exceeds $1.3 million and has been provided by City of Asheville ($704,070), and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce ($500,000) and Mountain BizWorks ($125,000) fundraising efforts which include many contributors from WNC and beyond. The partners recognize the need far surpasses the initial funding level and each are working to secure additional support. 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 Asheville City Council approves CDBG-DR Action Plan for submission to HUD Posted on April 8, 2025 by Kim Miller City Council approves the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan for submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during the April 8 City Council meeting. The Action Plan is the first step in the process to access $225,010,000 allocated by HUD on January 16, 2025, following [...] Continuum of Care (COC) releases 2025 Point-in-Time Count numbers Posted on March 28, 2025 by Sam Parada Helene has had a significant impact on homelessness in Buncombe County as reported by the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care, the local planning body responsible for developing and overseeing the community’s response to homelessness. Each Continuum of Care across the country is responsible for completing an annual Point-in-Time Count during the last 10 days in January and [...] What’s Up AVL! This week learn more about the CDBG-DR draft action plan with James Shelton Posted on March 7, 2025March 7, 2025 by Kim Miller What’s Up AVL! The City of Asheville’s bi-monthly radio show allows the community to take a deep dive with the City of Asheville staff and departments. You can learn about different departments and what projects are taking place in your community. On this episode, host Sam Parada visits again with James Shelton, City of Asheville Community Development Division [...] 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.
Asheville City Council approves CDBG-DR Action Plan for submission to HUD Posted on April 8, 2025 by Kim Miller City Council approves the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan for submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during the April 8 City Council meeting. The Action Plan is the first step in the process to access $225,010,000 allocated by HUD on January 16, 2025, following [...]
Continuum of Care (COC) releases 2025 Point-in-Time Count numbers Posted on March 28, 2025 by Sam Parada Helene has had a significant impact on homelessness in Buncombe County as reported by the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care, the local planning body responsible for developing and overseeing the community’s response to homelessness. Each Continuum of Care across the country is responsible for completing an annual Point-in-Time Count during the last 10 days in January and [...]
What’s Up AVL! This week learn more about the CDBG-DR draft action plan with James Shelton Posted on March 7, 2025March 7, 2025 by Kim Miller What’s Up AVL! The City of Asheville’s bi-monthly radio show allows the community to take a deep dive with the City of Asheville staff and departments. You can learn about different departments and what projects are taking place in your community. On this episode, host Sam Parada visits again with James Shelton, City of Asheville Community Development Division [...]
