City News

Department: Community and Economic Development

City builds Asheville Fire Department Community Responder Program and refines homelessness services information page

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Kim Miller

As a part of its Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the Asheville City Council included 8 permanent positions for the Community Responder Team, in alignment with Homelessness Strategies and Reimagining Public Safety priorities. With the understanding that homelessness is a crisis, not a crime, Asheville Fire Department (AFD) Community Responders will be the lead and first on-the-scene [...]

picture of downtown Asheville with the word Asheville Bond referendum

City Council takes action to include $80 Million GO Bond proposal on November ballot

Posted on July 23, 2024 by Kim Miller

Council members solidified totals in four different categories: Affordable Housing, Transportation, Parks & Recreation, and Public Safety.

Asheville utility payment photo illustration

City of Asheville announces new project to enhance neighborhood resilience, connectivity

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Kim Miller

The Community Space Upfit Project is an ARPA-funded initiative to provide five community spaces with technology and infrastructure enabling virtual community meetings, and emergency briefings: connecting residents in real-time no matter the situation. In a pioneering move aimed at bolstering neighborhood connectivity and climate resilience, the City of Asheville will be enhancing five community spaces across [...]

Asheville Business Inclusion community outreach and networking event June 29

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Kim Miller

Growing a Minority/Women-owned business? Come to the Business Inclusion event June 29th and learn more about working with the City of Asheville - and take advantage of great networking opportunities

panoramic image of buildings on the block

First funds of the $3-million Mellon Foundation Grant Invested into Boosting the Block Project

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Kim Miller

On May 28, Asheville City Council authorized $180,000 to fund a contract for community facilitation, engagement, and project support services for the “Boosting the Block” Project, one of three projects funded by the Mellon Foundation to implement components of the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan. The Block is Asheville’s historic Black business district and multicultural [...]

Attend our popular monthly Homelessness Learning Series –Announcing June dates

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Kim Miller

Join us June 7,14 &21 for all three session of The Homelessness Learning Series. To be held at the Weaverville Library

What’s Up AVL! This week learn more about Business Inclusion and Economic Development with Marcus Kirkman and Charlie Savage

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Kim Miller

On this episode of What’s Up Asheville host Sam Parada interviews Minority Business Program Manager Marcus Kirkman and Economic Development Specialist Charlie Savage. The group talks goals and programs of the Business Inclusion Office and community opportunities fostered by our Economic Development Team.

Congratulations to our CAYLA graduates!

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Kim Miller

Join us in congratulating the recent CAYLA program graduates as they set off on bright futures.

Attend our popular monthly Homelessness Learning Series – May dates announced

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Kim Miller

The Homelessness Division of the City of Asheville Community and Economic Development Department invites members of the public to join them for an informative learning series focused on homelessness in our community. This 3-part learning series, presented by Homeless Strategy Specialist Debbie Alford, offers community members the opportunity to learn more about the causes, responses, [...]

Continuum of Care elects Board members and announces 2024 Point-In-Time count numbers

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Sam Parada

The Continuum of Care (COC) is the formal planning body with primary responsibility for homelessness response in the Asheville-Buncombe community. Its newly-formed membership of over 300 stakeholders met for the first time February 29, 2024 to adopt a new governance charter and again April 25, 2024 to elect a new leadership Board. The [...]

The City of Asheville allocates over $4.8 million to affordable housing projects via the Housing Trust Fund

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Sam Parada

The City of Asheville Housing Trust Fund (HTF) exists to support the development and preservation of affordable housing within the city. The HTF provides financial assistance in the form of loans to developers and nonprofit organizations to help create and preserve affordable housing units. On April 23, City Council reviewed 2024-25 HTF proposals [...]

City of Asheville approves fourth round of Strategic Partnership Grant awards

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Sam Parada

Award Announcement Asheville City Council approved last night, as part of Council’s agenda, the fourth round of Strategic Partnership Grant (SPG) Program awards and authorized the City Manager to execute grant agreements. Using Strategic Partnership funding, the City has awarded $237,000 in grants to five different non-profit organizations to help address the opportunity gap for low to [...]

What’s Up AVL! This week learn more about homelessness with Strategy Specialist Debbie Alford

Posted on April 19, 2024 by Kim Miller

What’s Up AVL! The City of Asheville’s bi-monthly radio show allows the community to take a deep dive with the City of Asheville staff and departments. You can learn about different departments and what projects are taking place in your community. On this episode of What’s up Asheville, host Sam Parada interviews Homeless Strategy Specialist [...]

City announces Affordable Housing input opportunity

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Kim Miller

AFFORDABLE HOUSING - What do you think? A survey to provide your input is open now through April 14, 2024.

City of Asheville launches O.U.R. Asheville – A Community Engagement Leadership Academy

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Kim Miller

Members of the Asheville community are invited to learn more about the O.U.R. Asheville Academy – a community engagement leadership academy that kicks off this spring. Applications are open for the first round of 12 trainees, who will be selected as the first group of participants for this ongoing program. The academy is [...]

City of Asheville hosts community feedback session for the Affordable Housing Plan highlighting findings and draft recommendations.

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Kim Miller

Attend a City of Asheville Community Feedback Session on the Affordable Housing Plan March 27, 2024 Harrah's Cherokee Center, Banquet Hall 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m

City Council identifies FY25 priorities at Council Retreat February 22-23, 2024

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Kim Miller

During the recent Council Retreat on February 22 & 23, 2024, Asheville City Council was able to establish 6 strategic priorities for the next fiscal year. The strategic priorities help guide City Council, City staff, and the City’s annual operating and capital budget and annual work plans. The 6 priorities for FY2025 are: Neighborhood and Climate Resilience Equitable, [...]