Asheville Regional Housing Consortium Special Meeting – August 12, 2026

The City of Asheville's Asheville Regional Housing Consortium held a special meeting on August 12, 2026, focusing primarily on housing funding allocations and program updates. The consortium reviewed the expenditure of over $3 million in HOME funds from the past fiscal year, highlighting allocations toward down payment assistance, homeowner rehabilitation, tenant-based rental assistance, and new construction projects. They discussed the 2026 and anticipated 2027 HOME funding recommendations, emphasizing a strategic focus on new construction and rental assistance, with a proposed alternating funding cycle to balance rental construction and homeowner rehabilitation efforts. The consortium also addressed challenges in attracting Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) to utilize set-aside funds and discussed strategies to broaden eligible services, including short- to medium-term rental assistance and comprehensive case management under the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) allocation plan. A substantial amendment to the HOME-ARP allocation plan was approved to prioritize individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those affected by Tropical Storm Helen, and to leverage coordinated entry systems for referrals. Additionally, the consortium received an audit closeout update confirming remediation of prior monitoring deficiencies related to subrecipient eligibility and compliance. The meeting concluded with a roll call vote approving the funding recommendations and the substantial amendment to the HOME-ARP plan, setting the stage for upcoming application cycles aligned with tax credit schedules.