News

Forum is set on affordable housing

By Bill Moss, Published: January 23, 2015

A regional housing agency will take comments about housing issues in Henderson County and present findings from a housing market study during a forum on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Henderson County residents will have an opportunity to express concerns about housing issues, needs and priorities and hear the results of the study by Bowen National Research during the drop-in event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Henderson County Planning Board Assembly Room at 100 N. King St.
Asheville's Community and Economic Development Department formed the Housing Consortium to distribute federal HOME Investment Partnership Act funds. The department manages and administers programs for Asheville as well as Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania and Madison counties. The consortium includes the Henderson County Housing Assistance Corp., which is seeking a grant and tax incentives for the $9 million Oklawaha Village affordable housing development.
Available to non-profit agencies and housing developers whether for profit or nonprofit, federal HOME funds are aimed at meeting the most pressing housing needs in the region. Applications for this year's funds are due on Feb. 6 at noon. HOME funds may be used for the development of new rental or for-sale housing, rehabilitation of existing housing, down payment assistance for first-time home buyers and rental assistance payments.