Archive for Housing
Holly Jones For Buncombe County Affordable Housing Trust Fund
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This is ripped directly from Commissioner Holly Jones‘ latest email newsletter:
Job creation must continue to be a top priority for policy-makers at all levels. However, if elected officials in Buncombe County do not simultaneously address the high cost of housing for our workers, the overall economic well being of thousands of citizens will continue to deteriorate. Focus on this housing challenge will be my number one priority during a second term on the Board of Commissioners.
During our recent economic crisis, much attention was appropriately directed to the circumstances of the unemployed. Yet, let us not forget the staggering number of working citizens in Buncombe County who are struggling economically because of high housing costs. Over 42% of Buncombe County residents who rent are cost burdened by housing, which means that they pay more than 30% of their income on housing. This alarming trend has grown by 56% in the last decade.
Over 50,000 currently filled jobs in Buncombe County are in occupations that average less than $30,000 per year. The lack of workforce housing is an incredible economic burden on thousands of employees in Buncombe County.
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Lower wages and high rents result in math that doesn’t work for our hard-working citizens. It is a losing equation.It is time Buncombe County policy-makers got aggressive and strategic about addressing this critical need. Increasing the availability of safe, attractive, affordable housing must be one of our community’s highest priorities. While the solutions to our housing crisis are multiple and deserve analysis, there is one policy that, if adopted by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, would immediately promote an increase in the development of affordable rental units. Convert our Buncombe County Housing Services to a Housing Trust Fund and invest in it adequately annually.
A dedicated funding stream to this fund, directed specifically to the development of safe, affordable rental units would result in measurable outcomes for our community. Housing Trust Funds have proven track records and can be implemented swiftly. Committing to an annual investment would not only begin to address our community’s housing crisis, it would also build our tax base and promote the creation of construction jobs.
I plan to fight hard for this proven solution to our community housing crisis and to do so I need your vote on May 8!
Brownie’s Issues That Matter #1
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Guest post from Brownie Newman:
Throughout my campaign for Buncombe County Commission, I plan to highlight ten issues that are at stake in this election. These are issues that matter in our community, including what can be done to preserve family farms in Buncombe County, how we can advance energy independence, and how we can help more local people start their own business.
Here is Issues that Matter #1:
Ending chronic homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County
For a long time, there was a presumption that chronic homelessness was an intractable problem that will always be a part of society. About ten years ago, a coalition of citizens and organizations in Buncombe County launched an initiative to challenge that presumption and put forward a strategy to end chronic homelessness in our community.
Homeless Persons’ Memorial
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A memorial service to commemorate the lives of those who died while homeless in Asheville and Buncombe County will be held on December 21 at 12:30 p.m. at the Haywood Street Congregation, 297 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. The memorial service is co-sponsored by the Asheville Buncombe Homeless Initiative, the First Presbyterian Church of Asheville, and the Haywood Street Congregation.
The public is invited to attend. Donations of coats, hats, scarves, gloves and blankets will be accepted at Haywood Street Congregation beginning at 9 a.m. A free community meal will be held at 11:30 a.m.
The memorial service precedes the longest night of the year. An average of 20 people die while homeless every year in this community. The memorial service will include the reading of the names and stories of each person who died while homeless this year and the opportunity to speak in tribute to them.
Crucial Conversation Full House
Posted by: | CommentsRob Schofield and Chris Fitzsimon came to Asheville this past week to provide a briefing on how policies out of Raleigh are affecting us all. The duo write for NC Policy Watch, a project of the NC Justice Center, who held last week’s budget symposium at AB Tech. There were over 80 attendees at this Crucial Conversation.
The two explained that their organizations provide a counterpoint to the conservative perspectives coming from Civitas, the John Locke Foundation, and Americans for Prosperity.
Recent NC polling results from Public Policy Polling were displayed early in the meeting:
Home Free
Posted by: | CommentsHome Free Bagels is promoting economic justice and ending homelessness through social enterprise, and you can help by joining a very special viewing of the new film, HOME FREE.
Tickets for Home Free are available on a sliding scale with prices ranging from $5-$10. The short film and the following reception are being presented in conjunction with Just Economics and Homeward Bound.
Thursday, Nov. 10, 7pm at The Fine Arts Theater.
Asheville Nationally Recognized for Success in Reducing Homelessness
Posted by: | CommentsI’m so proud of our Homeless Coalition, Asheville-Buncombe Homelessness Advisory Board, City and County officials and staff, Homeward Bound, ABCCM, Eblen Charities, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and all of the people and agencies who are helping to get us closer to ending chronic homelessness. Thank you for all of your dedication to this compassionate work that so profoundly benefits our city and the whole of humanity.
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness recognized six U.S. cities for their successes. You can see the entire story at Mtn. X. Excerpt:
Asheville, NC has seen a 75 percent reduction in its population experiencing chronic homelessness since its 10-year plan was adopted in 2005, thanks in part to a collaborative community effort targeting public housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. In a partnership that began in March 2010, the Housing Authority prioritizes people on its waitlist who are experiencing chronic homeless who will receive case management from Homeward Bound for at least their first year in housing. This project has reduced the wait for public housing from 12-18 months to 2-3 months for people experiencing chronic homelessness, and has housed 61 people since it began, with an 89 percent housing retention rate. This impact is reflected in Asheville’s Point-in-Time data with a chronic homeless count of 187 in 2010 down 60 percent in one year to 75 in 2011. This is a project of the advisory board of the Homeless Initiative, which coordinates the community’s 10-year plan. Advisory board members include not only the Housing Authority and Homeward Bound, but also other community partners who have come to the table to collaborate on and resource this project: the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, local mental health providers and the local hospital.
Homelessness Is a Solvable Problem
Posted by: | CommentsThis guest post from Emily Ball, who’s a remarkable whirlwind of compassion, innovation, collaboration, and grace, came to Scrutiny Hooligans via email.
About 500 people are homeless in Buncombe County, and they all became homeless for the same reason: they lost their support. They might’ve lost their jobs, been released from prison, developed an addiction, been mentally ill, or had a physical accident or disability, but those things happen to people in housing too – probably even people you know. Maybe even you. The difference is that people who become homeless didn’t have anyone around them to sustain them through that crisis.
But it’s solvable! Those 500 people don’t have to stay homeless in our community, cycling through emergency shelters & programs and consuming expensive public resources just to survive. Housing is the answer. Providing permanent supportive housing ENDS homelessness – if you put people back in housing as quickly as possible & give them support while they stabilize it, 89% of them will maintain that housing for good. We know, because that’s what we do at Homeward Bound.
Since we realized that we didn’t have to just manage homelessness with emergency programs, but could actually SOLVE it with permanent housing, we’ve gotten 273 people into their own homes, and 89% of them have stayed there.
Image From Homeward Bound Public Service Announcement. Click to see the PSA!
No one wants to be homeless. And if we share our resources and use them on what works, no one has to be homeless in Asheville. Those 500 people are our neighbors, and their lack of housing & stability is bad for our whole community. So join us in ending homelessness in Asheville, because it’s a solvable problem, and you can be part of the solution!
Emily Ball
Homeward Bound of Asheville
www.hbofa.org
One Year In – The Wins
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Photo by Jason Sandford
December 8th will mark one year since I was sworn in as a member of your Asheville City Council. It’s been a learning curve like no other in my life. Thanks for all of the support that’s been offered by friends and all of the prodding that been offered by others. I’ve managed to help get a lot done in this first year, and I’ve still got a ways to go. My colleagues on Council and staff have been patient and helpful as I’ve learned the ropes.
This week I’ll offer some different ways of looking at what’s been accomplished this year. The Wins, The Vote Spreads, and The Chronology will be featured in separate posts to give everyone various ways at looking at what’s what. I reviewed the minutes of all the Council meetings through Nov. 9 and recorded the stuff that I thought would be helpful for my personal reflection as well as your public reflection. It won’t be perfect, but it’s the best you’ll get anywhere.
Today’s chapter, The Wins, focuses on those things that made good on my campaign promises as well as several bonus items. I haven’t gotten everything done yet, but some big strides have been made.
When elected, I promised to try to make Asheville more affordable and more sustainable. I promised to work to increase multimodal infrastructure. I promised to make Asheville more welcoming to her LGBT citizens. I promised to help balance the budget and protect our progressive priorities. After the jump, you’ll find my list of The Wins.
Doors of Asheville
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From Pollinate Asheville:
Mountain Housing Opportunities’ Doors of Asheville art auction fundraiser is Friday, November 5 at 6:30 p.m. at The Venue. Juried works by regional artists are auctioned at the event, proceeds benefit the programs and services of non-profit Mountain Housing Opportunities–wine, beer & hors d’oeurves AND live entertainment! MHO’s services and programs include emergency home repair, affordable/workforce housing development and lending, and neighborhood revitalization. Tickets $55 per person or $100 per couple.
It will feature 30 one-of-a-kind works of art created by local artists. You have GOT to check these amazing pieces out! The pieces range from full-sized doors used as canvas to smaller, more intimate works that embrace the theme of doors to homes and housing. The other cool thing is that MHO pays artists an honorarium for each work. If their piece brings more than the set amount at auction, the artist gets an additional $300.
