“We should strive for real, long-term benefits to our citizens rather than just letting the catchword ‘affordable’ create a massive debt with possibly little return.”
Tag: Affordable housing
Showing 253-273 of 360 results
Letter writer: Has Asheville changed since the 1950s?
“With the completion of 420 apartments, 100 more apartments under construction and whispers of 600 to come, you might imagine that the combination of property speculators, city ‘planning’ staff and Council itself were working to destroy rather than protect the character of our neighborhood.”
Zoning to be focus of Sept. 6 hearings before Asheville City Council
It’s been nearly four weeks since City Council last met. Five zoning requests dominate the agenda for Council’s Sept. 6 meeting. Notably absent from the proceedings will be a public hearing on proposed standards for screening electrical substations, a zoning ordinance amendment that has already been postponed many times. Council has been asked to advance the hearing date on that matter to Jan. 10.
Close to home: Mapping Asheville’s bond referendum
The die is cast: a $74 million bond referendum will appear on Asheville voters’ General Election ballots in November. What uses has the city proposed for the money and, if the referendum passes, how will that spending affect different parts of the city?
Lee Walker Heights redevelopment won’t get tax credits
The Housing Authority of the City of Asheville learned on Monday that it won’t get nearly $17 million of tax credit financing to support the planned redevelopment of the Lee Walker Heights public housing community — at least not this year.
Eagle Market dis-place-ment
Affordable housing slashed in Eagle Market Place; construction to resume in September
Buncombe County Commissioners approved a rent restructuring for Eagle Market Place that will allow 30 of the 62 units to transition from affordable to work force housing. Developers say the move is necessary to secure funding needed to get the stalled project moving forward again.
City solicits input on strategies to increase housing density
Through two discussion sessions and a survey on its online public input platform, the city of Asheville is soliciting feedback on strategies to increase housing density and, it hopes, ease the city’s housing crisis.
The evil of two lessors
No homestays in ADUs for now; Council to appoint task force
Short-term rental issues returned to Council chambers as the city’s elected officials considered allowing the use of accessory units for homestays. While Council decided not to approve the proposed expansion of the homestay program, it will appoint a task force to study the issue and make recommendations.
City Council commits $4.2 million to redevelopment of Lee Walker Heights
At its April 26 meeting, City Council approved a rezoning request and committed $4.2 million in city funds to allow the Lee Walker Heights redevelopment project to move forward. Council also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Duke Energy which gives the city the option to purchase the former Matthews Ford property adjacent to Lee Walker Heights at any time over the next eight years.
Emma residents envision stable housing, healthy schools
By Andrea Golden Dulce Lomita Mobile Home Cooperative began in June 2013 with the purchase of a six-unit mobile home park in the Emma neighborhood. Members of the cooperative, who had been renting mobile homes in and around the area, created the cooperative as an opportunity for our families for first-time homeownership. But we also […]
What a waste of housing
Commissioners take a look into Buncombe’s future at retreat
Prior to the Tuesday, Jan. 19 Buncombe County Commissioners’ retreat, staff in various departments sat down and took a good look at the county’s priorities, coming up with ideas and alternatives of how to accomplish these goals in 2016 (and beyond).
Affordable housing, greenways, living wage to be discussed at Buncombe County retreat
The agenda for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners’ Tuesday, Jan. 19 retreat reads like a year in review: affordable housing, zoning actions, greenway projects, waste reduction and encouraging employers to pay a living wage.
Gimme shelter: In wake of 10-year plan to end homelessness, local agencies regroup
Although chronic homelessness has been curtailed substantially since 2005, the combination of a severe economic downturn, an acute shortage of affordable housing and the rising cost of living has hindered the overall progress in eradicating homelessness. Despite those setbacks, partners in the project are forging ahead with new initiatives to combat housing insecurity and ensure that those in need of shelter get it.
BeLoved Community members hold affordable housing rally outside City Hall
Members of the Be Loved Community, formerly homeless residents of Asheville and several city council members gathered outside of City Hall prior to City Council’s weekly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8, to listen to firsthand accounts of homelessness, voice support for the city’s affordable housing initiatives and encourage members of the Asheville community to stand […]
Home, sweet home: Mountain Housing Opportunities celebrates The Villas at Fallen Spruce Apartments
In its latest efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing, the nonprofit organization Mountain Housing Opportunities hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and gift registry drive Thursday evening at its brand new apartment complex, The Villas at Fallen Spruce Apartments, just off New Leicester Highway. MHO staff, partner organizations, sponsors, local and state government officials were […]
Letter writer: Who has their hands on local housing crisis?
“This is a crisis of epic sadness that a city that supports tourism is not willing to support its residents!”
Creative Loafing
Letter writer: Teachers shouldn’t be charity cases
“Our teachers should make enough money to afford a decent place to live on their own and shouldn’t be charity cases reliant upon nonprofits to make ends meet. “