Written by Malachi Mena
The Asheville City Council met Tuesday, July 23rd, to discuss a few different matters, primarily focusing on housing developments in Haw Creek. The meeting went on for over four hours and addressed other matters, including the Woolworth building, general obligation bonds, and community development.
On AFM News Hour, host KP Whaley spoke to David Forbes, journalist for The Asheville Blade, who was in attendance at the Council meeting. Forbes explained that the majority of the meeting was focused on the 27 acres of land in Haw Creek that was proposed for housing development. According to Forbes a majority of the land is mature forest, and they expressed the rarity of such a thing in the city of Asheville. Controversy has been sparked regarding this housing plan since last year and Forbes made clear that the controversy is still very much present.
Forbes explained that supposedly 2 of the 84 housing units will be considered affordable. They said the other 82 will be on the market for $500,000 or more. While the city is claiming this development will provide housing, members of the community have expressed that said housing will not be affordable. Forbes pointed out that people in Asheville with a modest salary simply cannot jump into a half-million-dollar home. They went on to explain that these new homes would likely go to wealthy people who can afford multiple houses or be turned into Airbnbs. Forbes goes on to state, “This isn’t trickle-down economics. We need affordable housing. We need housing people can actually live in and have some stability and autonomy.”
Most of the neighborhood that spoke up about the situation said they did not approve and that the deal was decided in secret, according to Forbes. Ultimately though, the developers’ request was granted, five to one. Forbes went on to speak about the Asheville City Government and transit, parks, and sidewalks. They explained that unfortunately much of the funding towards these things will either be invested someplace else or go towards the wealthier parts of Asheville.
For more on the conversation and a deeper look at the City Council meeting, listen to this week’s episode of AFM News Hour.