Press release from City of Hendersonville:
The City of Hendersonville invites community members to participate in a series of Affordable Housing listening sessions scheduled for September and October. These sessions are designed to gather feedback directly from residents and those facing housing challenges, helping to identify the community’s housing needs. The insights collected will contribute to the development of the City’s Strategic Housing Plan.
These meetings are part of the Hendersonville City Council’s annual Council Conversation series, where elected officials engage with residents in their neighborhoods to better understand their concerns and help inform governing and policy decisions.
Join us at any of the following meetings:
Monday, Sep. 23 | 6:00 PM-7:30 PM
Trailside | 873 Lenox Park Dr.
Hosted by Council Member Jennifer Hensley
Intended audience: Business Community, Realtors, DevelopersTuesday, Sep. 24 | 6:00 PM-7:30 PM*
Veterans Services Building | 900 N. Main St.
Hosted by Council Member Jeff Miller
Intended audience: Aging Community, VeteransMonday, Sep. 30 | 6:00 PM-7:30 PM*
Star of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church | 105 N. Whitted St.
Hosted by Council Member Melinda Lowrance
Intended audience: Black Community, Faith CommunityTuesday, Oct. 1 | 5:30-7:00 PM*
Blue Ridge Health | 2579 Chimney Rock Rd.
Hosted by Mayor Pro Tem Lyndsey Simpson
Intended audience: Non-profits, Service Providers, Health Care, Faith CommunityThursday, Oct. 10 | 7:00 PM-8:30 PM*
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church St. Francis Hall | 208 7th Ave. W.
Hosted by Mayor Barbara Volk
Intended audience: Latino/Latina Community, Faith Community
Spanish interpretation services provided by True Ridge at the Oct. 10 sessionAll community members are invited to join at any meeting, though facilitation will be tailored to the topics relevant to the intended audience groups.
*Raffle opportunity: Attendees at these listening sessions will have the chance to win $50 Ingles gift cards to help offset travel costs and encourage participation from all segments of the community.
The Hendersonville City Council has tasked City staff and a volunteer steering committee with developing a Strategic Housing Plan. Following the adoption of the Gen H Comprehensive Plan, the Strategic Housing Plan will offer recommendations and strategies aimed at increasing housing supply, improving stability for renters and homeowners, and developing policies that provide funding and subsidies to prevent homelessness.
The creation of the housing plan began with the formation of the steering committee in March 2024 and was highlighted by the Affordable Housing Summit in May, which featured renown policy expert Shane Phillips. Over the summer, the City has contracted with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative (DFI) who is conducting a needs assessment and will then assist the City in identifying potential sites for affordable housing development. DFI’s work, combined with input from the listening sessions and an online survey, will lead to a community-driven plan. The housing plan’s creation is funded through a grant from Dogwood Health Trust.
An online survey will be available during the meeting series to gather additional input from those unable to attend a listening session.
Learn more at www.hvlnc.gov/housingplan
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