“Based on what we have heard from the community … I firmly believe that the best path forward will be to broaden the scope of our discussions to include those issues surrounding STRs,” board Chair Nancy Waldrop said during the April 22 meeting.
Tag: Affordable housing
Showing 1-21 of 346 results
Council greenlights Ferry Road mixed-income development
Hundreds of units of mixed-income housing are coming to a Ferry Road property, resolving years of uncertainty over the use of the land.
Letter: Support for rezoning in Haw Creek
“This property is within the city limits. Building homes there would decrease sprawl into more environmentally sensitive areas of Buncombe County.”
Letter: City should listen to concerns about Haw Creek project
“Personally, I will miss seeing an open field but understand that infill happens — just make it palatable to those of us who live here.”
City might pause development program over equity concerns
With rising rents and a growing population, local leaders are using every tool they have to encourage more affordable developments, including the City of Asheville Land’s Use Incentive Grant program. City Council members say the program designed to encourage developers to offer affordable housing is good in theory, but in practice it might be shutting out minority families, perpetuating decades of racial discrimination in housing.
Short-term rental listening session yields conflicting views
The proposed regulations would ban future short-term rentals, both whole-house and rentals within the owner’s primary residence, in unincorporated parts of Buncombe County unless they were located within commercial zones or in an open-use district, among other changes. Existing short-term rentals would not be impacted by the changes.
Letter: How not to alleviate the local housing crisis
“The Board of Commissioners’ actions raise the question: Is this how they are going to deal with the affordable housing crisis?”
Letter: Redirect tourism spending toward other needs
“Redirect Tourism Development Authority money to help with housing affordability; to offer deeply affordable child care; improve public transportation; and increase wages of workers in the tourist service industries.”
Letter: Spend tourism tax money on infrastructure
“The proceeds from the tax (75% plus) should be going toward enhancing the infrastructure that the visitors and locals use.”
Buncombe to seek competitive bids for trash service
After existing provider WastePro proposed rate hikes as part of its contract renewal, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 21 to seek alternative providers on the open market.
WTF: Housing vouchers and assistance programs
Finding affordable housing has become a formidable challenge for many Asheville residents. However, housing vouchers can bring rent down to a manageable amount. In the latest edition of Xpress’ WTF feature – short for “Want the Facts?” – we explore the application process and eligibility requirements for housing vouchers and other forms of housing assistance.
Letter: Making affordable microhousing work
“If the rates were lower than $1,000 per unit and there was more than a 20% allotment for the number of eligible units, I would encourage supporting the proposals.”
Letter: Deal won’t help those who need affordable housing
“Someone’s making money off of this deal, and it does nothing for our vulnerable populations needing affordable housing. Nothing.”
‘Blitz build’ scheduled for BeLoved Village
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.
Letter: The numbers don’t add up for teachers
“As a professional educator with a college degree, will she be able to purchase the house in: (A) five years, (B) 10 years, (C ) 15 years or (D) never?”
Zoning may hold key to affordable housing
Revising zoning might be the key to unlocking barriers to affordable housing in Asheville.
Asheville Council approves $1.9 million grant for microhousing development
At its July 25 meeting, Asheville City Council awarded a $1.9 million tax abatement to Aston Flats, a 231-unit microapartment development. The funding is through the city’s Land Use Incentive Grant. The approval came despite staff recommendation to delay the project until new LUIG policies were established to address microhousing units.
Council approves mixed-income housing for Biltmore Ave.
A mixed-income housing project that’s been years in the making is now cleared for construction, following a unanimous June 27 vote by Asheville City Council. The conditional zoning approval will permit 221 units to be built at 311 and 319 Biltmore Ave., just south of downtown.
Letter: What should we do about homelessness?
“Another suggestion is that we could charge property taxes that reflect the amount of time the property is inhabited. More tax for fewer days occupied.”
Down Town, Part 12: Affordable housing solves homelessness. Asheville has a problem
The key to managing homelessness is allowing affordable housing in one’s backyard. Some cities are better at that than others. Asheville? Not so much.
Keep Asheville weird: Businesses try to maintain uniqueness amid city’s rapid growth
Small-business owners recognize that they not only add value but are a driving force behind the popularity of this quirky city.