Two microapartments developments, with individual housing units averaging about 250 to 350 square feet, have been approved for nearly $2.5 million of Land Use Incentive Grant funding. The developments have sparked debate among city officials and residents over whether microhousing is truly a solution to the affordable housing crisis.
BeLoved Asheville co-director Amy Cantrell speaks with Xpress about the health impacts of housing insecurity, combatting isolation and her role as the architect of an intentional community.
“Creating multi-income, multiuse developments and requiring affordable units in new multifamily developments is a much better way of solving this problem and maybe actually helping some folks along the way.”
“When local workers can’t find housing they can afford and our less fortunate population — including families with children — is one rent check away from living on the street, this predicament has reached critical mass.”
“The way forward starts with understanding that the sugar high of property speculation and the accompanying trickle-down lies are not the answer: Up-skilling our kids is.”
Finding a place to live in Buncombe County has gotten slightly easier in the past two years as a result of some 1,500 new rental units coming available. But monthly rents continue to rise, despite these new residences and the promise of thousands more currently under construction.
“Our existing affordable housing policy or any variation on it is bound to fail and waste borrowed money.”
