In the period spanning 2012-13, 6,000 people migrated to Asheville. The law of supply and demand — not so much a law as a comment on how few developers and homeowners would accept anything less then maximum profit from the sale of their homes — dictates that housing prices will go up. The solutions to […]
I’m curious about these local “experts” [“Collision Course,” July 29, part of Xpress’ affordable housing essay series]. Has anyone been interviewed who has been royally screwed by City Council’s collectivist legislation responsible for driving rental rates sky high? Years ago, Xpress covered the onset of my saga, regarding how the city initially forced me to […]
“Basically, it’s going to take all hands on deck to change this dangerous trajectory of unaffordability and extreme gentrification.”
“Let’s start asking how this problem came about and not just throw more money to try to correct the mess we are in today.”
“Develop vacant city-owned land into low-income/workforce housing communities.”
“There are proven strategies for increasing affordable housing: 1) increase density; 2) increase funding; and 3) mandate inclusivity.”
“City Council recently adopted a goal of assisting in the production of 2,800 new affordable housing units in the next seven years. That, however, is only about half of the city’s projected need over the next five years.”
“We strongly encourage including a certain percentage of affordable houses or apartments in every project.”
“Whatever approach we take to affordable housing, it must include healthy, sustainable construction practices for the homes to be truly affordable in the long term. “
“Buncombe County government works proactively to incentivize affordable and workforce housing options as well as a diversified economy.”
“Hearing the voices of those most impacted by the housing crisis is vital to creating solutions.”
“Affordable housing is not just a housing problem,” notes Mike Figura, who owns Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty. “It’s a housing supply problem; it’s a wage problem; it’s an employment problem.”
“So, if housing development restrictions in Asheville could be done away with, there would soon be ample housing for all at affordable prices.”
“The solution to the affordable housing problem is political and community will.”
“Whenever people ask what we need to create more affordable housing, we say: capital.”
Editor’s note: This essay is part of a series in which local experts were asked: “What would it take to solve the Asheville area’s affordable housing problem?” Housing in Asheville is simultaneously booming and in crisis. The summer of 2015 seems to be culminating in trends that are several years deep. Construction has been on […]
“Why is the focus on “affordable housing” and not on “affordable living”? The official “affordable housing” definitions focus narrowly on rent; transportation costs are ignored.”
What would it take to solve the Asheville area’s affordable housing problem?
“For every job created with a subsidy that doesn’t provide a living wage, let’s provide a genuinely affordable home.”
Surrounded by mountains and crammed into a 45-square-mile valley, the city of Asheville is bursting at the seams, suffering from a severe housing shortage, skyrocketing rents and home prices, overcrowded streets with no place to park, and an abundance of lower-paying, tourism-based jobs.
“We must address the housing crisis now, before it’s too late. I believe this can be done by requiring employers to pay their employees a living wage — which, like affordable housing, is also an endangered species here.”
