In November’s general election, Buncombe County citizens will vote on two bond referendums that could together authorize up to $70 million in county borrowing for open space conservation and affordable housing projects.
Tag: Affordable housing
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Letter: Important bonds depend on your vote
“Please vote ‘Yes’ for the housing bond, which will support affordable homes for people serving our community.”
Letter: Berthiaume is a dedicated problem solver
“City Council candidate Maggie Ullman Berthiaume realizes that housing stability is the foundation for everything else in our daily lives.”
Dogwood to contribute $1.6M grant for city affordable housing
If approved, the grant would bolster two American Rescue Plan Act grants previously approved by Council earlier this year.
Letter: Let’s vote ‘yes’ on Buncombe bonds
“Thanks to our representative Terri Wells’ leadership, we can make our voices heard on the matters of land conservation and affordable housing.”
Letter: Affordable housing bond is beyond optimistic
“Using very simple math, you can see how unrealistic these goals are!”
Letter: Yes on bond referendums
“We do have to stay vigilant as the money is distributed.”
Council subsidies could bring more than 100 affordable units to Asheville
Asheville City Council unanimously approved two different approaches to support developments aimed at increasing affordable housing.
$70M for land conservation, affordable housing up to Buncombe voters
This November, Buncombe County voters will determine if the county pursues up to $70 million in bonds. If approved, $30 million would go toward land conservation and greenways, while $40 million would fund up to 3,100 affordable housing units.
Nonprofits strive to meet affordable housing demand
Three projects proposed by outside nonprofit developers, either recently approved by Asheville City Council or currently being considered, offer 100% affordable housing targeted for older residents. Together, the three will add over 200 affordable units to the city’s stock.
Asheville open space updates approved
The updates, which have been controversial, are meant to encourage the construction of affordable housing by reducing and simplifying building regulations and incentivizing stormwater management.
Letter: Good citizens can house homeless, too
“If you can, consider creating a studio apartment. If you can only spare $10 dollars a month, donate to Habitat, Homeward Bound, Helpmate or another charity. One person can make a difference.”
Letter: Standing up for efforts of local Sierra Club
“So, sorry, but local development will proceed, and my view is that our city and county are doing all that they can to preserve our unique local identity and still allow for affordable housing, environmental protections, family farm protections and all of the many factors that make WNC a place in which we want to live.”
Letter: Speak out against open space amendment
“This proposal to deregulate developers within city limits is dressed up with idealistic-sounding justifications like providing affordable housing, improving flooding and fighting sprawl.”
WTF: Land use incentive grants
Better known as LUIG, the initiative aims to entice developers to include affordable units in their projects by offering property tax rebates. Asheville City Council is next slated to consider such a grant Tuesday, July 26, for a 186-unit development on Long Shoals Road.
Council to return to City Hall June 28
More than two years have passed since Asheville City Council last held a regular meeting at the downtown art deco building.
Council approves grant for downtown microhousing
Of 80 microhousing units, 16 would be designated as affordable for people earning at or below 80% of the area median income. However, developer David Moritz confirmed that market-price rent for all of the project’s units would be about $1,000 including utilities, meaning that the city-subsidized units would not immediately be cheaper for their tenants.
Buncombe’s Comprehensive Plan 2043 enters third phase
When complete, the document will be a nonbinding, advisory blueprint of where residents and county officials want the county to be in 2043 and will outline the goals, objectives and policies needed to achieve that vision.
Letter: Spend occupancy taxes on our community
“I think it would be a ridiculous waste of revenue to stop collecting a tax that visitors are used to paying. But it certainly should be used to benefit the community and keep it the strong, wonderful place that people would like to visit.”
Letter: Ullman can help make Asheville truly livable
“I believe Maggie will listen to and elevate the voices within our community and create an inclusive, collaborative environment so we together can tackle our community’s critical challenges, which span housing to city services to climate change impact. “
Commissioners approve $4.9M for pre-K expansion, affordable housing
The three applications were the first to be funded out of 105 projects that had been submitted in response to Buncombe County’s latest request for proposals for American Rescue Plan Act support, which closed April 12.