City of Hendersonville reschedules affordable housing listening sessions

The City of Hendersonville’s Affordable Housing Listening Sessions, postponed due to Hurricane Helene response efforts, have been rescheduled. As the community recovers, addressing the housing crisis remains a top priority. These sessions will gather valuable input from residents to shape the City’s Strategic Housing Plan.

“The impact of Hurricane Helene has only deepened the challenges our residents face in finding secure and affordable housing,” said Mayor Barbara Volk. “As we work to rebuild, it is more important than ever to hear from our community members. Their insights will shape a Strategic Housing Plan that reflects our shared needs and values, ensuring that we create pathways to stability and opportunity for everyone in Hendersonville.”

All community members are invited to attend a listening session, though facilitation will be tailored to the topics relevant to the intended audience groups.

Community Listening Sessions 

Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Mountain View Baptist Church Fellowship Building | 650 Duncan Hill Road             

Hosted by Mayor Pro Tem Lyndsey Simpson

Intended audience: Non-profits, Service Providers, Health Care

Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Union Grove Baptist Church | 901 Robinson Terrace

Hosted by Council Member Melinda Lowrance

Intended audience: Black Community, Faith Community

Tuesday, Dec. 3 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church St. Francis Hall | 208 7th Ave. W.

Hosted by Mayor Barbara Volk

Intended audience: Latino Community, Faith Community

Spanish interpretation services provided by True Ridge at the Dec. 3 session

Raffle opportunity: Attendees will have the chance to win $50 Ingles gift cards to help offset travel costs and encourage participation from all segments of the community.

*These listening sessions are not equipped to address immediate housing needs. Please visithttps://www.hendersoncountync.gov/helene for information on the Henderson County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) and applying for disaster assistance with FEMA.

Online Survey Available: An online survey is available at www.hvlnc.gov/housingplan to gather input from those unable to attend a listening session.

Council Conversations and the Strategic Housing Plan:

These sessions are part of the Hendersonville City Council’s annual Council Conversation series, where elected officials engage directly with residents to better understand their concerns and help inform governing and policy decisions.

Prior to Hurricane Helene, Council Member Jennifer Hensley and Council Member Jeff Miller hosted listening sessions for the business community, aging population and veterans, respectively. The remaining three sessions have been rescheduled to gather input in the wake of Helene’s devastation.

The City’s Strategic Housing Plan, led by City staff and a volunteer steering committee, will offer strategies to increase housing availability, stabilize rental and home ownership options, and develop policies aimed at preventing homelessness. In partnership with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative (DFI), the City is conducting a needs assessment and identifying potential affordable housing sites. This strategic housing plan project, funded by Dogwood Health Trust, began with a steering committee launch in March and an Affordable Housing Summit in May with housing policy expert Shane Phillips.

Learn more at www.hvlnc.gov/housingplan