ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
Buncombe County Commissioners congratulated voters and themselves on Tuesday night after they allocated nearly $15.6 million from a 2022 general obligation bond to help finance four new affordable housing projects, continued loans to two other projects and reallocated $3.1 million of prior year funds to support 10 additional projects or programs.
“We’ve just come a long way as a county and a government,” Commissioner Parker Sloan said, reminding his colleagues of past years when the county could only set aside several hundred thousand dollars to back a handful of new affordable housing units.
Addressing the shortage of affordable housing has become one of Buncombe County’s top priorities. With Tuesday’s actions, “We’re getting there and we’re making a difference,” Sloan said.
Commission Chairman Brownie Newman said it seemed “farfetched” in recent years, when county officials began talking about the need to double or triple what they spend toward affordable housing due to a desperate need, especially for low- to moderate-income families who can’t afford to live near where they work.
He thanked Buncombe County voters who supported “this investment” through a 2022 general obligation bond.
“It really is exciting to see this much progress,” Newman said.
Commissioners unanimously approved budget amendments to give a boost to projects totaling 688 affordable rental units, five affordable homes for purchase, plus downpayment assistance for low- and moderate-income households, emergency repairs for 161 households and rental assistance for 615 others, according to a staff presentation released prior to the meeting.
Meanwhile, they agreed to set aside $300,000 to the group Helpmate for its plan to add space for 43-beds to an emergency shelter facility for those experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence.
OPEN SPACE PROJECTS COULD GET A $10.7 MILLION BOOST
Commissioners were acting on recommendations made May 7 by an Affordable Housing Committee, according to a summary report by Buncombe County community development, affordable housing and budget officials.
The recommendations included new loans totaling $15,587,436 from a general obligation bond approved by voters in 2022.
The now-approved loans include:
* $800,000 to Volunteers of America for Laurel Wood, 104 affordable units at 650 Caribou Road in Asheville.
* $7,889,950 to Fitch Irick Development for Rocky River Apartments, 120 units on Reynolds Mountain Boulevard in Woodfin.
* $6,517,699 to Roers Company for Asheville Affordable Pine Lane, with 126 units at 9999 Pine Lane in Asheville.
* 379,787 to WDT Development for the Lofts at Swannanoa, with 52 units at 2236 U.S. Highway 70 in Swannanoa.
Commissioners also agreed to continue previously-approved loans of nearly $8.5 million for a 156-unit project called Meribel, and $1.8 million for the 70-unit Redwood Commons project.
CONDEMNED BUILDINGS IN BARNARDSVILLE SOON TO BE DEMOLISHED
The actions left just over $10.4 million of general obligation bond funds to allocate to future affordable housing projects.
Commissioners also approved smaller loans and grants totaling $3,122,792 for emergency home repairs, rental and downpayment assistance. Details are contained in the staff presentation HERE.
In other action Tuesday, commissioners unanimously approved allocating about $10.7 million in funds from a separate general obligation bond toward open space projects. It includes $7.7 million to protect 337 acres of native forest and wildlife habitat on Deaverview Mountain. It is the single biggest commitment to date from the $30 million open space bond county voters approved in November 2022.
There was little discussion before the unanimous vote, although Commissioner Amanda Edwards asked staff members “that we look at how we could expedite that project, too.” With complicated land acquisition and grant application issues ahead, the Deaverview Mountain project currently is scheduled to be completed and open to the public in early 2029.