During a recent government meeting, city officials discussed pressing issues surrounding housing affordability and population growth in Asheville. The conversation highlighted the city's current housing landscape, revealing that approximately 36% of households are overburdened by housing costs, particularly affecting low-income residents and people of color.

The meeting underscored the city's demographic shifts, noting an aging population and a significant decline in the Black community. Officials projected that Asheville will need to construct around 14,000 new housing units by 2050 to accommodate anticipated population growth, primarily driven by in-migration. This influx is expected to bring residents with higher average incomes, raising concerns about \"equity migration,\" where existing residents may be displaced due to rising housing costs.

Community engagement efforts were a focal point of the discussion, with officials reporting outreach initiatives that engaged over 700 residents. Feedback indicated a strong sentiment among residents that new developments often do not cater to their needs, emphasizing a desire for growth that benefits current residents rather than newcomers.

The city’s Affordable Housing Plan aims to address these challenges through five key goals: promoting policies to help existing residents remain in Asheville, preserving current affordable housing, increasing the overall housing supply, aligning housing policies with city initiatives, and strengthening the affordable housing ecosystem. Officials acknowledged the importance of protecting renters and homeowners while improving housing quality.

The meeting concluded with a recognition of the city's ongoing efforts to tackle the housing crisis, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration among stakeholders to enhance affordable housing opportunities for both current and future residents.