Community Development Last updated or reviewed on January 22, 2026 Welcome to Community Development! The Division works to build opportunities for community access to housing. Community Development manages and administers HUD funded programs for Asheville and a four-county consortium consisting of Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania and Madison Counties. These programs provide affordable housing, economic opportunities and other benefits for low-income residents. They include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and other programs funded by HUD. Most of the funding from these programs is distributed to organizations in Asheville and the four county consortium through a competitive application processes. The Division also manages and administers City of Asheville funding for affordable housing and outside agencies. Affordable Housing programs include the Housing Trust Fund and Affordable Housing Fee Rebate program. The Asheville-Buncombe County Homelessness Initiative is also managed within the Community Development Division. The Division supports Asheville area citizens on issues related to affordable housing and community development. PUBLIC NOTICE: UPDATE: Due to the upcoming winter storm the starting Friday, January 23, 2026 the Community Development Division has extended the application deadline to TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2026 at 5:00pm. The City of Asheville’s Community Development Division will be accepting applications for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the upcoming fiscal year (FY) 2026-2027. The application will open for submissions on December 17, 2025 at 8:00 am ET and will close at 5:00 pm ET January 27, 2026. Applicants can apply through our Neighborly software portal. The City of Asheville is seeking agencies to carry out activities that revitalize neighborhoods and public facilities, improve infrastructure, assist homeless persons and those at-risk of becoming homeless, provide homebuyers with downpayment assistance, and support microenterprises, all of which are goals under our 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan. The City’s Community Development Division hosted one application information webinar on January 6, 2026. This webinar provided information on the application process as well as technical assistance. If you missed the presentation, the slides are here. The CDBG program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program and the City of Asheville, as an entitlement community, receives funding directly from HUD to develop decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. The City of Asheville’s Community Development Division administers these funds and partners with organizations to support projects and programs that serve City of Asheville residents. Interested organizations can and must apply on an annual basis for CDBG funding. Notice of Non-Discrimination: The City of Asheville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, age, handicap, sex or sexual orientation. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), THIS NOTICE AND DOCUMENTS LISTED CAN BE REQUESTED IN ALTERNATE FORMAT. AUXILIARY AIDS OR SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST, WITH AT LEAST THREE DAYS’ NOTICE. CITY OF ASHEVILLE PUBLIC NOTICE: HUD Acknowledges City of Asheville’s 2024-2025 Performance: As a recipient of grant funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of Asheville must annually review and report to HUD on the progress it has made in carrying out its Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan. The performance report is submitted to HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) in the form of the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). HUD has concluded that the City of Asheville has the capacity to carry out its CPD programs and has met its reporting requirements. All City of Asheville ‘s funded activities principally benefitted low and moderate-income residents, and its activities were also consistent with its goals and objectives identified in its Consolidated Plan and FY 2024 Annual Action Plan. The City of Asheville continues to utilize CDBG funding to make progress in the implementation of its strategic and annual plans. HUD’s letter of acknowledgement can be viewed here: HUD 2024-2025 CAPER Acknowledgement Our Web Pages To help navigate the Community Development Division, please find the links to our web pages below. Affordable Housing CD News and Updates Homeless Resources/ Citizen Guidance HUD Programs and Reports Plans, Policy and Reports Public Notices Get Involved To be added to the Community Development email list, please fill out our google form found here. Consider joining one of our meetings below to get more involved. Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) AHAC provides guidance on Policies & Procedures to Preserve, Protect & Produce Affordable Housing. Asheville Regional Housing Consortium (ARHC) ARHC is our regional consortium that helps manage HOME funds in our 4 County region – Buncombe, Henderson, Madison & Transylvania. Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee (HIAC) HIAC is the Committee responsible for implementing the Five Year Strategic Plan on Homelessness in Buncombe County. Housing & Community Development Committee (HCD) HCD is made up of 3 City Council members who provide policy recommendations to Council on all matters relating to the creation and maintenance of affordable housing within the city, as well as services related to homelessness. Community Development Staff James Shelton / CD Division Manager jshelton2@ashevillenc.gov — Deborah Johnson / CD Analyst II djohnson2@ashevillenc.gov Sofia Bonilla / CD Analyst I sbonilla@ashevillenc.gov Kaylee Pulliam / CD Analyst I kpulliam@ashevillenc.gov — Dora Tovar / CD Coordinator dtovar@ashevillenc.gov — Elma King / CDBG-DR Program Manager eking@ashevillenc.gov Amber Stapleton / CDBG-DR Housing Programs Lead astapleton@ashevillenc.gov Charlie Savage / CDBG-DR Economic Revitalization Programs Lead csavage@ashevillenc.gov Kate Fehlenberg / CDBG-DR Infrastructure Programs Lead kfehlenberg@ashevillenc.gov Rebecca Walter / CDBG-DR Communication Specialist rwalter@ashevillenc.gov If you are looking for affordable housing, suffering a housing crisis, in need of rental assistance or down payment assistance, or you have concerns about our homeless community, Please Call 211. The service is free, confidential and available in any language.
