What we do Last updated or reviewed on March 8, 2024 The Community and Economic Development department fosters an equitable community and economy. We work to preserve and increase the availability of affordable housing, improve access to services, create paths toward economic mobility, promote resiliency, and support sustainable growth. We collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to enhance the quality of life and availability of opportunities for all in Asheville. The department includes four divisions, Affordable Housing, Community Development, Homeless Strategy, and Economic Development; and three programs, Business Inclusion Office, City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA), and City Real Estate Office. Contact: Megan Greer, Business Services Administrator. Announcements The Fiscal Year 2024-2025 HOME Application for Rental Housing Development is now open Opening date – February 16, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. Applications due – March, 27 2024 at 2:00 p.m. To complete the application, please register with Neighborly here. Neighborly Software Information Slides For more information, please visit the Community Development Block Grant page. Connect Address 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 7148 Phone Number 828-251-4098 Email Address mgreer@ashevillenc.gov Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.DirectorNikki Reid, nreid@ashevillenc.govBusiness Services AdministratorMegan Greer, mgreer@ashevillenc.govAdditional LinksStaff Directory Related Services Find support for issues related to homelessness The goal of this page is to provide information and resources for residents and businesses to understand how to respond to issues related to homelessness. Minority / Woman Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification Find information to register for certification as a Minority, Woman, and/or Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) with the City of Asheville. Business Inclusion (ABI) The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city. Find cold weather emergency shelter When extreme cold weather is expected, the Asheville Homeless Coalition issues a Code Purple Alert. Participating homeless shelters voluntarily add space beyond their normal capacity to keep as many people as possible out of the cold. Find financial support for your Asheville business Learn about financial support that may be available for your business. Find or register a minority, women or disabled-owned business Resources for finding or registering a minority, women or disabled-owned business. Explore Related ServicesRelated Projects Affordable Housing Plan The project will update the 2008 Affordable Housing Plan that was created by the Mayor’s Taskforce on Affordable Housing, which was last updated in 2015. HOME-ARP Program Funding The City of Asheville has prepared the Allocation Plan for the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program. The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan sets out how the City of Asheville and the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium propose to use an estimated $4,699,862 in federal HOME-ARP Program funds. Disparity Study 2023 The City of Asheville’s Community and Economic Development Department has commissioned Miller³ Consulting, Inc. to conduct a five year comprehensive Disparity Study of its contractual awards in goods, professional and general services, and construction. Explore Related ProjectsCommunity and Economic Development News Continuum of Care elects Board members and announces 2024 Point-In-Time count numbers Posted on April 25, 2024April 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 [...] Explore Community and Economic Development News
Find support for issues related to homelessness The goal of this page is to provide information and resources for residents and businesses to understand how to respond to issues related to homelessness.
Minority / Woman Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification Find information to register for certification as a Minority, Woman, and/or Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) with the City of Asheville.
Business Inclusion (ABI) The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city.
Find cold weather emergency shelter When extreme cold weather is expected, the Asheville Homeless Coalition issues a Code Purple Alert. Participating homeless shelters voluntarily add space beyond their normal capacity to keep as many people as possible out of the cold.
Find financial support for your Asheville business Learn about financial support that may be available for your business.
Find or register a minority, women or disabled-owned business Resources for finding or registering a minority, women or disabled-owned business.
Affordable Housing Plan The project will update the 2008 Affordable Housing Plan that was created by the Mayor’s Taskforce on Affordable Housing, which was last updated in 2015.
HOME-ARP Program Funding The City of Asheville has prepared the Allocation Plan for the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program. The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan sets out how the City of Asheville and the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium propose to use an estimated $4,699,862 in federal HOME-ARP Program funds.
Disparity Study 2023 The City of Asheville’s Community and Economic Development Department has commissioned Miller³ Consulting, Inc. to conduct a five year comprehensive Disparity Study of its contractual awards in goods, professional and general services, and construction.
Continuum of Care elects Board members and announces 2024 Point-In-Time count numbers Posted on April 25, 2024April 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 [...]
