City staff told council June 18 they will bring a recommendation at the June 24 business meeting to approve a $250,000 grant to the Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust to acquire two homes — one in Southside and one in the East End — to preserve them as permanently affordable homeownership opportunities.

The HCD (Housing & Community Development) committee recommended the grant by a 2-1 vote. Staff said one of the two homes was purchased and substantially renovated by the Preservation Society at high cost; staff described the acquisition as an anti-displacement tool for the East End.

Why it matters: The grant would expand permanently affordable homeownership in neighborhoods where market pressures can displace long-standing residents. Council member Sage Turner, who voted against the HCD recommendation, questioned the cost-effectiveness of the East End purchase, saying, "It was, over $500,000 in renovations on a $200,000 home purchase, I believe." Turner added that the same dollars might buy more units elsewhere.

Support and local history: Vice Mayor Antoinette Moseley said she has a personal connection to the East End home and noted multi-generational ties, saying she "grew up playing in that house with the family that lived there multi generationally." Staff said the Preservation Society intends to sell the house at market rate if the land trust does not acquire it, making market sale the likely alternative.

Process and next steps: Staff will present the full proposal and financial details, and representatives from the ABC LT and the Preservation Society are expected to attend the June 24 business meeting to answer council questions. The council debate at HCD focused on trade-offs between preserving a single, costly property in a high-displacement area and using the funds to acquire multiple lower-cost units elsewhere.

Taper: No final council vote occurred at the briefing; the grant authorization will be on the June 24 business agenda for council consideration.