The growing share economy has broadened travel accommodation options. Now, when planning a vacation, people may decide they want: A place with a kitchen so we can save money on dining; A local, neighborhood experience; Accommodations in a more affordable price range; A place that allows us bring our four-legged friends along; All of the above. So they bypass a hotel [...]
This year the Community and Economic Development Department of the City of Asheville is requiring an online Webcast for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program applicants to view prior to submitting an application for funding. Please sign-in and view the webcast any time between Dec. 9 and Jan. 1, 2016, by going [...]
Looking for a solution-based conversation about how to meet Asheville and Buncombe County’s housing needs? Join us for the Asheville-Buncombe Housing Summit, 2-5 p.m. Nov. 16, US Cellular Center Banquet Hall. Hosted by Asheville City Council, the summit will feature two moderated discussions looking at challenges and opportunities and how public and the private sector can [...]
The City of Asheville cares about affordable housing! We are excited to announce the availability of an affordable two-bedroom condominium unit within walking distance to downtown and McCormick Field. This condo is being offered at below market value and must be sold to an income-eligible household. The number to call if you are interested is 828-232-4599. Scroll [...]
CLARIFICATION: An earlier edition of this article said HOME Investment Partnership money was available to private parties. It should have said private developers. Some $928,000 in federal HOME Investment Partnership money is available locally to create new affordable housing and/or to make existing housing affordable. The Asheville Regional Housing Consortium is requesting applications from nonprofits [...]
The City of Asheville and Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS® announce the 2015 Asheville Housing Fair to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. September 19 at the Stephens Lee Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave. The event is free and open to the public and will guide consumers and homeowners through [...]
Thank you to everyone who came out to the City Council meeting Tuesday. Staff had to open two overflow rooms to accommodate all the people who came down to City Hall to voice their input about proposed amendments to homestay regulations and fine increases for illegal short-term vacation rentals. Some 62 people signed up for the [...]
You might call them backyard cottages. The official name is “accessory dwelling units: ADUs.” They are nothing new; you will find existing units dotted around town, sometimes as garage apartments. But ADUs are not as prevalent as you might expect in a city facing a housing shortfall. A few years ago the city’s Affordable Housing Advisory [...]
In a guest column in the Asheville Citizen-Times, Asheville City Councilman Gordon Smith writes about how the City is working to address affordable housing: The lack of affordable housing in Asheville is truly a community crisis. While Asheville City Council is taking unprecedented steps to address it, we need more community partners to help provide affordable [...]
There’s a nationwide conversation brewing around something called accessory apartments. In the past few years, communities have examined these use by right additions to single-family residences, and are praising them for their contribution to affordable housing. Right here in Asheville, that conversation took place as early as 1948. “Garage” apartments are featured in the City’s first zoning [...]
The saying goes that, given a big enough lever (and fulcrum to put it on), you can move the world. That’s a tall order, but it is true that leverage applied at the right place can make a big impact, and leveraging funding is helping make big changes in quality of life and economic development [...]
The Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) will hold the second annual Festival of Neighborhoods on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at A-B Tech in the Ferguson Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. Asheville City Council established NAC to help strengthen the bonds of community and improve the quality of life for residents. This year’s festival will feature workshops focused on [...]
