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 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. 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. Explore Related ProjectsCommunity and Economic Development News The City of Asheville is pleased to announce applications for the 2024 City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (C.A.Y.L.A) are now open! Posted on November 30, 2023December 1, 2023 by Kim Miller Applications are now open for The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA) program. Get first hand experience in a chosen field, be a paid intern, and receive scholarship money towards future education. APPLY TODAY! Downtown Safety and Cleanliness News: Helping the community’s most vulnerable this winter with additional resources Posted on November 30, 2023December 1, 2023 by Kim Miller As cold weather continues in our region, many community members ask what can be done to help the most vulnerable among us? The City of Asheville believes addressing homelessness is a community effort, but knowing the available resources is a great place to start. The City’s Homeless Strategy Division, which falls under the Community and [...] 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. 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.
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.
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.
The City of Asheville is pleased to announce applications for the 2024 City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (C.A.Y.L.A) are now open! Posted on November 30, 2023December 1, 2023 by Kim Miller Applications are now open for The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA) program. Get first hand experience in a chosen field, be a paid intern, and receive scholarship money towards future education. APPLY TODAY!
Downtown Safety and Cleanliness News: Helping the community’s most vulnerable this winter with additional resources Posted on November 30, 2023December 1, 2023 by Kim Miller As cold weather continues in our region, many community members ask what can be done to help the most vulnerable among us? The City of Asheville believes addressing homelessness is a community effort, but knowing the available resources is a great place to start. The City’s Homeless Strategy Division, which falls under the Community and [...]
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.