Asheville has taken several steps to expand affordable housing and help residents remain in their homes, but many of the benefits will take months or years to arrive.

At its October 13 meeting, City Council authorized financing related to a 112-unit apartment development, approved zoning for 23 planned Habitat for Humanity homes and moved forward with a $6 million homelessness-prevention initiative.

Together, the two development proposals represent 135 potential new affordable homes, while the assistance initiative targets households struggling to maintain stable housing.

112 apartments planned near Biltmore Avenue

The larger proposed development, known as 319 Biltmore B, would include 112 income-restricted apartments at 4 John Walker Avenue near Biltmore Avenue.

Council authorized the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville to issue up to $9.75 million in bonds or notes to help finance the project.

The financing authorization is not the same as a city promise to repay the developer's debt.

Developer Laurel Street plans a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units.

All 112 apartments would be reserved for households earning no more than 80 percent of area median income, with additional units designated for residents at lower income levels.

The proposed restrictions would remain in place for 40 years.

Construction is expected to start in December 2026 and finish in June 2028, although those dates could change.

Habitat homes proposed in Shiloh

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity plans 23 homes in the Shiloh neighborhood, including 18 townhomes and five detached houses.

The recent council action advanced the zoning required for that proposal; it does not mean the homes are already built or immediately available.

For families seeking ownership opportunities, the project represents potential additional supply in a housing market where affordability remains a persistent challenge.

$6 million to prevent homelessness

City Council also advanced a three-year, $6 million effort intended to help households avoid losing their homes.

Prevention efforts can address housing instability before it turns into an emergency, although individual eligibility rules and application processes need to be confirmed as the program is implemented.

Separately, the city approved changes connected to approximately $4.7 million in federal HOME-ARP housing assistance.

Those funds are part of a regional housing framework covering Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties, with eligibility and program details determined by approved plans.

What can residents do now?

The housing announcements should not be confused with an immediate opening of applications for every proposed apartment or home.

People interested in rental housing should follow notices from the developer and housing partners for actual leasing dates, eligibility and waiting-list information.

Families interested in Habitat homeownership should check the organization's current qualification and application process rather than assuming these specific homes are taking applicants now.

Residents experiencing urgent housing instability should seek current assistance from established local housing and community-service organizations instead of waiting for projects scheduled years away.

A longer-term response to a current need

Asheville's latest actions address different parts of the housing challenge: building new affordable rentals, expanding homeownership possibilities and helping existing residents avoid displacement.

The approvals represent measurable steps, but the real test will be whether construction proceeds, assistance reaches eligible households and long-term affordability commitments are maintained.