Locunity/Buncombe County, NC·Other
Advises on county affordable housing priorities and funding. Engages with community partners, solicits public input, and makes housing affordability policy and funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for Buncombe County.
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Recent updates from Governing Board
NCHFA's 2027 draft QAP removes fixed per-unit parking requirements after state law barred local parking minimums, while still requiring 'sufficient' parking.
Why it matters: The county had long asked NCHFA to defer to local parking rules. Developers gain flexibility but lose certainty, since NCHFA will now judge parking adequacy case by case.
Subcommittee authorized its chair to send NCHFA comments asking that the 2027 QAP guarantee Buncombe no less than one LIHTC award during Helene recovery.
Why it matters: The draft QAP's 12% western set-aside excludes Buncombe as a metro county and drops last year's disaster provisions, threatening the county's main affordable-housing finance pipeline.
Two open state Helene housing grants close Dec. 13 and Nov. 2. Only workforce ownership projects inside Asheville, like Ferry Road, can compete.
Why it matters: These competitive pots ($53 million for ownership; $500,000 to $15 million per multifamily project) are near-term chances to finance new affordable units, and eligibility rules determine which local projects can compete.
Only 32 Buncombe owners applied for small rental rehab funds and 12 remain active. Owners cited HUD's 10-year affordability requirement as a deterrent.
Why it matters: Duplex-to-fourplex rentals are a key source of naturally affordable housing. Weak uptake means damaged small rentals may not return as affordable stock, and the state is shifting about $9 million out of the program.
Of 2,151 Buncombe applicants to Renew NC's single-family program, 660 remain eligible, as repairs move on 51- to 171-day timelines.
Why it matters: Single-family recovery has the largest share of state disaster dollars ($807 million). Steep applicant attrition and partial relocation aid shape how many storm-damaged homeowners actually get rebuilt.
Buncombe has acquired 49 parcels through hazard-mitigation buyouts and launches a second round covering about 214 properties this month, with no local funds.
Why it matters: Buyouts permanently remove housing from hazard zones through deed restrictions, while creating a growing county land portfolio that could become parks and greenways, subject to FEMA approval.
Denied CDBG-DR, the county's 203-unit Cox Avenue project needs new funding as members back briefing the Board and pressing state agencies.
Why it matters: Buncombe lost the most housing in Helene yet LIHTC recovery covers about 20% of roughly 372 lost units, while other counties see near-full replacement.
Buncombe won one 9% tax credit project with the lowest CDBG-DR award, while none of its eight 4% applications were funded.
Why it matters: Stacked state rules guaranteed Buncombe one small 9% project but pushed it behind every other county for the larger 4% deals that produce volume.
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Buncombe Asks State to Guarantee at Least One Housing Tax-Credit Award Buncombe County's Affordable Housing Subcommittee moved Oct. 6, 2026, to keep the county from being shut out of North Carolina's main affordable-hou...
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Buncombe Panel Backs Tougher Housing Loan Terms, 4-1, Over Developer Worries Buncombe County's Affordable Housing Subcommittee voted 4-1 on Sept. 1, 2026, to send the full Board of Commissioners a tougher set of Afforda...
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