Happening now

Engagement with key community stakeholders is underway. Staff are meeting regularly with neighborhood leaders, developers and housing policy advocates to advance five project components. They are: 

  • Implement Affordable Housing Plan recommendations
  • Implement Missing Middle Study recommendations 
  • Develop and pilot a Displacement Risk Assessment Tool
  • Provide enhanced notifications for proposed development in neighborhoods 
  • Implement Legacy Neighborhoods Coalition (LNC) as a required engagement partner in relevant communication and engagement plans

What we've heard so far

Residents advocating for more affordable housing in Asheville have encouraged the City to consider the findings from the Missing Middle Study and Affordable Housing Plan as ways to increase local housing supply. We have simultaneously heard from longtime residents and neighborhood coalitions that implementing these recommendations should be paired with anti-displacement strategies to avoid perpetuating past harms.

For the ADAH project, the City is partnering with key stakeholders from across our community to co-design solutions that honor the lived experience of legacy community members, support residents who are most vulnerable to displacement and move the needle on housing strategies that increase affordability for low- to moderate-income residents in Asheville.

Stakeholder involvement

We are committed to keeping the community informed throughout this project as we work to advance Council and community priorities. Through authentic public engagement, community members have shared their input and lived experience via: 

  • One-on-one interviews and small group meetings
  • Bi-weekly project working group meetings
  • Facilitated group discussions

If you are interested in joining the ADAH working group focused on the Displacement Risk Assessment Tool, email the project team at adah@publicinput.com to receive a meeting invite. 

People sitting at round tables in a large room listening to one another

Image of participants at the ADAH Stakeholder Workshop on May 20, 2026.


What’s Next?

  • The Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss interim Missing Middle Housing (MMH) amendments at the  July 1, 2026 meeting and is scheduled to make recommendations at their August meeting.

  • A staff presentation of interim MMH amendments and draft Anti-Displacement Resolution goes before Council in August 2026

Background

The ADAH project is a unique opportunity to make meaningful progress toward achieving goals outlined in our Comprehensive Plan, Missing Middle Housing Study, and 2024 Affordable Housing Plan while centering the needs and lived experiences of longtime residents. Staff is taking a collaborative approach to this work and encourages all who are interested to participate. Sign up to receive project updates via email at the top of this page. 

Project Updates

June 23, 2026 presentation to City Council Policy, Finance and Infrastructure Committee (video) 

June 3, 2026 presentation to Planning & Zoning Commission (video)

June 2, 2026 presentation to Neighborhood Advisory Committee (video)

May 20, 2026 workshop with key stakeholders (summary document)

March 19, 2026 presentation to City Council Agenda Briefing (video) 

March 4, 2026 presentation to Planning & Zoning Commission (video)