Community and Economic Development

About Us

The City of Asheville understands that a healthy affordable mixed-income community needs a variety of housing types at a variety of price points, both homeownership and rental, for the variety of incomes, wages and salaries produced in Asheville. Unfortunately, many wages, salaries & incomes produced in our area don’t support the average housing costs in Asheville, both homeownership and rental.

The City of Asheville recognizes that it can play a valuable role in providing affordable housing within the City and eliminating this affordability gap.  The current housing market has a significant lack of affordable units and presents a variety of challenges, including housing’s connection to a thriving local economy for our residents who live and work in Asheville.

The City is committed to utilizing the policy tools at its disposal, listed below to produce, preserve and protect affordable housing. The City’s recognizes its role in the solution towards affordable housing as –

Affordable Housing Tools

Resources and Information

• 2025 Affordable Housing HUD Area Median Income (AMI) Rents / Appendix 1  – Updated 4/04/2025
• Local Homeownership Calculator 
• 2022 Affordable Housing Guide in both English and Spanish for local rental properties and resources 
• Homelessness Resources Guide 
• 2021 Homeownership Expense Calculator with HUD Area Median Income (AMI) / Appendix 2 
• Homeowner Property Tax Grant Program to help qualified homeowners in the City of Asheville, up to $500.  Read more here on how to qualify & application.
• For additional information & resources, please see the Community Development News & Updates Tab

Developer Investment Tools

• City Owned Land

Utilizing City Owned Land to preserve, protect & produce affordable housing.

• Housing Trust Fund (HTF)

The City’s Low Rate Loan Program for affordable housing.

• Land Use Incentive Grant (LUIG)

City incentive grant program based on tax assessments for affordable housing.

• Fee Rebates Policy

A Discount on many Fees associated with the production of affordable housing working with the Development Service Department.

• Expedited Review

Development projects with Affordable Housing are prioritized by the Development Services Department.

• Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) Connection Discount

A Discount on your sewer connection per affordable unit.