Question title

What comments do you have about the Draft Action Plan for CDBG-DR?

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While it is understandable that the infrastructure and economic recovery needs are much higher than housing, allocating less than 15% of funds to affordable housing is a missed opportunity. The city needs to take a serious approach to funding affordable housing projects and ensur...See More
Reply14 Agree8 days ago
Thanks for your comment. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) expects the percent allocated to each program category to generally align with the Unmet Needs Assessment (UNA) percentages, with some allowance for deviation in consideration of pre-disaster condition...See More
2 days ago
There is no mention of increased wildfire risk due to fallen trees or risk of future tree fall in neighborhoods adjacent to forests (wildland urban interface). This is a not so silent threat that has a real potential for future tragedy and loss of life. This increase of risk is ...See More
Reply9 Agree7 days ago
Thanks for your comment. Increased wildfire risk is certainly something we have heard consistently from our community throughout the process of drafting our action plan. However, forest management does not fall within the eligible activity types under CDBG-DR and will be somethin...See More
18 hours ago
Allocating more funding to affordable housing will provide ongoing economic security for our city. Asheville is a huge tourist city, but the city will suffer if your hospitality workers cannot afford to live in the city where they work. I am all for the majority of the funding go...See More
Reply7 Agree2 days ago
Thanks for your comment. Housing affordability is something that we heard consistently is priority for our community. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) expects the percent allocated to each program category to generally align with the Unmet Needs Assessment (U...See More
17 hours ago
Our schools need our support. Please use some of these funds to cover the huge budget cut they received.
Reply6 Agree6 days ago
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, providing funding to schools for operating expenses is not an eligible activity under the CDBG-DR program. Schools that were damaged as a result of Helene may be eligible for assistance under FEMA's programs. Also, the Hazard Mitigation Gra...See More
18 hours ago
I think this is a once in a lifetime chance to bolster affordable housing creation and preservation in Asheville. The CDBG-DR pot of funding should be more weighted toward affordable housing and less weighted toward infrastructure and business development. Infrastructure has ot...See More
Reply5 Agree3 days ago
Thanks for your comment. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) expects the percent allocated to each program category to generally align with the Unmet Needs Assessment (UNA) percentages, with some allowance for deviation in consideration of pre-disaster condition...See More
18 hours ago

Learn more about CDBG-DR in this interview with Community Development Manager, James Shelton, on What's Up AVL:

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January 2025

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development announces $225 million award in CDBG-DR funds for the City of Asheville 

 

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February 2025

City of Asheville hosts public input and information sessions to gather feedback on unmet needs 

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March 4, 2025

Draft CDBG-DR Action Plan published for public comment

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March 2025

Community engagement opportunities to receive feedback on propsed Action Plan (3 public feedback sessions)

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April 8, 2025

City Council vote on Action Plan submission to HUD 

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April 21, 2024

Deadline to submit CDBG-DR Action Plan to HUD