Community Development - The City of Asheville

City of Asheville

Notice of Proposed Amendments to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Action Plans

Background

The City of Asheville Annual Action Plan details the funding strategy for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) programs. Additionally, the Annual Action Plan describes how funds will be used to address the priorities and goals outlined in the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan.

The City’s Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) describes the efforts that the City will take to encourage its residents to participate in developing these plans. It also provides requirements for public process when a “substantial amendment” to the Annual Action Plan is proposed. The following changes constitute a substantial amendment and require public notice as described in the CPP:

A change in the nature of an activity, its location, or its target population, such that different persons will be impacted by it.
The addition of a new activity or new priority.
The funding of an activity is being increased by 50%.

Proposed Substantial Amendments

Six amendments are being proposed to the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan for activities that were funded for the following Fiscal Years (FY): FY 2020-2021, FY2021-2022, FY2023-2024, and FY2024-2025. These amendments are to reprogram unused Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to be used in FY 2025-2026. The funds being reprogrammed are unused funds, balances for programs that no longer exist, or are funds unlikely to be used in a timely manner.

Amendment No.1

CDBG funding from FY24/25 in the amount of $15,000 will be canceled from the “Fair Housing – CDBG” project and allocated to projects in the FY25/26 funding year.

Amendment No.2

CDBG in the amount of $24,000 allocated to the “Technical Assistance – CDBG” project in FY24/25 will be cancelled and funding moved to the “Homeward Bound of WNC – Coordinated Entry- CDBG” project from FY24/25.

Amendment No. 3

The “Homeward Bound of WNC – Coordinated Entry- CDBG” project originally allocated $37,900 in FY24/25 will add $24,000 for a new budget line item for “contracted services” bringing the total award of this project to $61,900.

Amendment No. 4

HOME funding in the amount of $500,000 originally allocated in FY23/24 to the “LDG Development – Meribel – HOME” project in will be cancelled due to rescission by the developer and project funds will be added to the “Affordable Rental Housing” project from FY24/25 in the amount of $300,000 for HAC – Apple Ridge and $200,000 will be added to FY25/26 programs.

Amendment No. 5

Amending the 2021-2022 Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust- Permanently Affordable Homes- HOME project to be exclusively for home repair instead of acquisition, repair and resale. The total award for the project will stay the same at $202,500.

Amendment No. 6

Amending the 2020-2021 Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust- Permanently Affordable Homes- HOME project to be exclusively for home repair instead of acquisition, repair and resale. The total award for the project will stay the same at $59,463.

Public Process

The City of Asheville published this public hearing notice in the Asheville Citizen-Times on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 as part of our Citizen Participation Plan requirements.

The public comment period is scheduled for June 18, 2025 to June 27, 2025. A public hearing will be held to provide an opportunity for public comment on June 24, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be in person at Asheville City Hall, 70 Court Plaza, in City Council Chambers.

Comments may also be provided to Sofia Bonilla, Community Development Coordinator, at sbonilla@ashevillenc.gov or 828-259-5446.

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.

Publication Date: June 18, 2025

Public Notice

City of Asheville CDBG & HOME Programs Consolidated Plan for 2025-2029 and Annual Action Plan 2025-2026

& Notice of Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given that the City of Asheville’s draft Consolidated Plan 2025-2029 and 2025 – 2026 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) is available for public view and comment. The official public comment period begins June 13, 2025 and will close on June 23, 2025. This Action Plan refers to funding for projects in our community for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The anticipated entitlement amounts are $972,202 for CDBG and $1,051,896.84 for HOME.

A public hearing will be held on June 24, 2025 during a City of Asheville City Council meeting at 5:00pm. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend and provide public comment.

After the public hearing, the City of Asheville anticipates submitting our Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for fiscal year 2025-2026 CDBG funds and HOME Investment Partnership funds. Information on the amount of funding available, the requirements on benefit to low-and-moderate income persons, eligible activities, and plans to minimize displacement and provide displacement assistance as necessary are part of this plan and is available for public inspection at the City of Asheville’s Community and Economic Development webpage located here.

Citizens who are not able to attend the City Council meeting are encouraged to submit written comments to Sofia Bonilla by email at sbonilla@ashevillenc.gov.

If you plan to attend this meeting and require special accommodations because of a disability or physical impairment, please contact Sofia Bonilla at 828-259-5446, TTY 828-259-5548 before June 19, 2025.

For additional information contact Sofia Bonilla, Community Development Coordinator, 70 Court Plaza, Asheville NC 28801, or by email at sbonilla@ashevillenc.gov. Comments and questions should be received by June 23, 2025.

This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Sofia Bonilla at 828-259-5446 or at 70 Court Plaza, Asheville NC 28801 for accommodating this request.

Esta información está disponible en español o en cualquier otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Sofia Bonilla al 828-259-5446 o en 70 Court Plaza, Asheville NC 28801 de alojamiento para esta solicitud.

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.

This notice was published on June 13, 2025 in the Asheville Citizen-Times and on the City of Asheville’s website at www.ashevillenc.gov

CITY OF ASHEVILLE PUBLIC NOTICE:

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) 2025-2026. The application will open for submissions on January 6, 2025 at 8:00 am ET and will close at 5:00 pm ET February 7, 2025.

Please check here for in depth information on the CDBG application process.

Applications should be submitted through Neighborly software. For information on how to access and use Neighborly, please see this presentation. Follow this link to the application. Please note that the link will not be active until 8:00am on Monday, January 6, 2025.

The City of Asheville is seeking agencies to carry out activities that revitalize neighborhoods, improve infrastructure, assist homeless persons and those at-risk of becoming homeless, and

expand and preserve affordable housing, all of which are goals under the City of Asheville’s Consolidated Plan.

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 apply on an annual basis for CDBG funding.

CITY OF ASHEVILLE PUBLIC NOTICE:

The City of Asheville’s Community Development Division reports on accomplishments and progress towards the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan goals of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program’s Program (HOME) funds through the Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER).

Public Comment Period and Process:

The DRAFT FY 23/24 CAPER is available for a 15-day public review and comment period from Thursday September 12, 2024 to Thursday, September 26, 2024. To view the DRAFT FY 23/24 CAPER please visit the City of Asheville’s Community Development page. www.ashevillenc.gov

Citizens wishing to submit written comments during the public review and comment period may send them via email to Sofia Bonilla, Community Development Coordinator, at communitydevelopment@ashevillenc.gov until 5pm on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

You may also send your comments via mail, postmarked no later than Thursday, September 26, 2024, by 5pm, to the following address:

City of Asheville

Community Development Division

Attention: Sofia Bonilla, Community Development Coordinator

70 Court Plaza

Asheville, NC 28801

The CD Division will forward to HUD all written comments along with the City’s response to the comments.

For any questions or concerns, please contact Sofia Bonilla at the email below.

communitydevelopment@ashevillenc.gov

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Aug 4, 2024

City Of Asheville

P.O. Box 7148

Asheville, NC 28802

828-259-5446

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Asheville.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about August 22, 2024, the City of Asheville will submit a request to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) in Greensboro, NC for the release of Project Based Voucher (PBV) as authorized by section 8(o)(13) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 as amended, to undertake a project known as Meribel for the purpose of providing affordable rental housing. Meribel will be a new construction apartment community and shall consist of 156 units for families. It is located at 171 Monticello Road in Weaverville, Buncombe County, North Carolina. The estimated total project costs are $53,829,365. Estimated funding for 58 HUD PHA Project Based Vouchers is approximately $33,315,776 over twenty years.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Asheville has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Asheville’s Community and Economic Development Department and will be made available to the public for review either electronically, on the City of Asheville, Community Development Website, or in person at Asheville City Hall, 70 Court Plaza, 5th Floor and may be examined or copied weekdays from 8:30A.M to 5P.M. Please submit your request by email to the Community Development email address, at CommunityDevelopment@ashevillenc.gov, or by mail to the City of Asheville, Community Development Division, 70 Court Plaza P.O. Box 7148; Asheville, NC 28802, Attention: Community Development Division Manager. The Environmental Review Record can also be accessed online at the City of Asheville Community Development Division Public Notices Webpage:

https://www.ashevillenc.gov/department/community-economic-development/community-develo pment/public-notices/

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the

City of Asheville Community Development Division via mail addressed to the Community Development Division, 70 Court Plaza P.O. Box 7148; Asheville, NC 28802. All comments received by August 20, 2024 will be considered by the City of Asheville prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Asheville certifies to HUD/ Greensboro Field Office that Debra Campbell in her capacity as City Manager consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s North Carolina approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Meribel to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD/ Greensboro Field Office will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Asheville certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Asheville; (b) the City of Asheville has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Greensboro Public and Indian Housing (PIH), 1500 Pinecroft Rd #401, Greensboro, NC 27407 AND/OR email to GFORROF@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Greensboro Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) at (336) 547-4000 or via email at GFORROF@hud.gov to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Debra Campbell

City Manager

City of Asheville, NC

Publish Date: Aug 4, 2024

Public Notice

City of Asheville CDBG & HOME Programs FY 24-25 Annual Action Plan

Notice is hereby given that the City of Asheville’s revised Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) is available for public view and comment. The official 30 day public comment period begins Jul 10, 2024 and will close on Aug 10, 2024. This Action Plan refers to funding for projects in our community for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025. The anticipated entitlement amounts are $1,003,004 for CDBG and $1,011,026 for HOME.

A public hearing will be held on Jul 23, 2024 during a City of Asheville City Council meeting at 5:00pm. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend and provide public comment.

The City of Asheville anticipates submitting our Annual Action Plan to the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on August 2, 2024 for fiscal year 2024-2025 CDBG funds and HOME Investment Partnership funds. Information on the amount of funding available, the requirements on benefit to low-and-moderate income persons, eligible activities, and plans to minimize displacement and provide displacement assistance as necessary are part of this plan and is available for public inspection at the City of Asheville’s Community and Economic Development webpage. Citizens who are not able to attend the City Council meeting are encouraged to submit written comments to Sofia Bonilla by email at sbonilla@ashevillenc.gov.

This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Sofia Bonilla at 828-259-5446 or at 70 Court Plaza, Asheville NC 28801 for accommodating this request.

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.

This notice was published on Jul 10, 2024 in the Asheville Citizen-Times and on the City of Asheville’s website at www.ashevillenc.gov

______________________________________________________________

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Jul 10, 2024

City Of Asheville
P.O. Box 7148
Asheville, NC 28802
828-259-5446

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Asheville.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about July 30, 2024, the City of Asheville will submit a request to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) in Greensboro, NC for the release of Project Based Voucher (PBV) as authorized by section 8(o)(13) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 as amended, to undertake a project known as Fairhaven Summit for the purpose of providing affordable rental housing. Fairhaven Summit will be a new construction apartment community, and shall consist of 77 units for families located at 3124 Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina. The updated estimated total project costs are $23,259,623 with 20 HUD PHA Project Based Vouchers in the estimated amount of $34,121.00.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the
City of Asheville Community Development Division via mail addressed to the Community Development Division, 70 Court Plaza P.O. Box 7148; Asheville, NC 28802. All comments received by July 28, 2024 will be considered by the City of Asheville prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD/ Greensboro Field Office will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Asheville certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Asheville; (b) the City of Asheville has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Greensboro Office of Community Planning & Development, 1500 Pinecroft Rd #401, Greensboro, NC 27407 AND/OR email to GFORROF@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Greensboro Office of Community Planning & Development at (336) 851-8167 or via email at GFORROF@hud.gov to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Debra Campbell
City Manager
City of Asheville, NC

Publish Date: Jul 10, 2024

__________________________________________________________________________________

Public Notice:

The City of Asheville’s Community Development Division will be accepting applications for FY 24-25 HOME funding for Rental Housing Development projects only, beginning on February 16, 2024 and ending on March 27, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., EST. Applications received after 2:00 p.m. EST on March 27, 2024 will not be considered.

In order to apply for HOME funds, please visit the City of Asheville Community and Economic Development Web Page and click on the link to Neighborly Software.

Funding under this NOFA will be limited to the development of rental housing, including new construction, acquisition and/or rehabilitation.

The City’s Community Development Division is hosting an Office Hours Webinar to provide information and guidance on completing funding applications. The webinar will be held on:

March 6, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.

The webinar will be hosted via Google Meet, which can be accessed either online or by telephone using the following information:

Meeting ID: meet.google.com/jco-hjas-nfv

Phone Number:

‪+1 361-360-8578‬

PIN: ‪553 673 835#‬

If you encounter any technical difficulties accessing the meeting or if you have questions regarding this NOFA, please email HUDFundingQuestions@ashevillenc.gov for assistance.

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.

To complete the application, please register with Neighborly here.

The City of Asheville’s Community Development Division will be accepting applications for Community Development Block Grant funding for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025. These applications will be open for submission on January 3, 2024 and will close at 2:00 p.m. January 26, 2024. For more information, visit the Community Development Block Grant page here.

To complete the application, please register with Neighborly here.

Neighborly Software Information Slides

Community Development Block Grant Application Slides

Community Development Block Grant Application Instructions

HOME ARP Public comment period closed Monday, March 20, 2023 for more information please visit our Public Notices web page here.

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.

Our Web Pages

To help navigate the Community Development Division, please find the links to our web pages below.

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

—

Laura Near / CD Anlayst I – CDBG Analyst I

lnear@ashevillenc.gov

Deborah Johnson / CD Analyst II

djohnson2@ashevillenc.gov

Lori Moore / CD Analyst I

lmoore@ashevillenc.gov

Kaylee Pulliam / CD Analyst I

kpulliam@ashevillenc.gov

—

Sofia Bonilla / CD Coordinator

sbonilla@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.