News

Affordable housing listening sessions resume

Hendersonville City Council member Jeff Miller gets input on the city’s housing needs during a listening session in September.

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 3, 2024

The Hendersonville City Council’s affordable housing listening sessions, postponed due to Hurricane Helene response efforts, have been rescheduled. As the community recovers, addressing the housing crisis remains a top priority. The sessions will gather valuable input from residents to shape the city’s strategic housing plan.

“The impact of Hurricane Helene has only deepened the challenges our residents face in finding secure and affordable housing,” Mayor Barbara Volk said. “As we work to rebuild, it is more important than ever to hear from our community members. Their insights will shape a strategic housing plan that reflects our shared needs and values, ensuring that we create pathways to stability and opportunity for everyone in Hendersonville.”

In partnership with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative, the city is conducting a housing needs assessment and identifying potential affordable housing sites. The strategic housing plan project, funded by Dogwood Health Trust, began with a steering committee launch in March and an affordable housing summit in May featuring housing policy expert Shane Phillips. To learn more visit www.hvlnc.gov/housingplan

Prior to Hurricane Helene, council members Jennifer Hensley and Jeff Miller hosted listening sessions for the business community, aging population and veterans, respectively. The remaining three sessions have been rescheduled to gather input in the wake of Helene’s devastation. 

All community members are invited to attend a listening session, though facilitation will be tailored to the topics relevant to the intended audience groups. Dates and locations:

• Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2-3:30 p.m., Mountain View Baptist Church Fellowship Building, 650 Duncan Hill Road, hosted by Mayor Pro Tem Lyndsey Simpson. Intended audience: non-profits, service providers, health care.

• Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6-7:30 p.m., Union Grove Baptist Church, 901 Robinson Terrace, hosted by council member Melinda Lowrance. Intended audience: black community, faith community.

• Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6-7:30 p.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church St. Francis Hall, 208 Seventh Ave. W. hosted by Mayor Barbara Volk. Intended audience: Latino community, faith community. (Spanish interpretation services provided by True Ridge at the Dec. 3 session.)

Attendees will have the chance to win a $50 Ingles gift card to help offset travel costs and encourage participation from all segments of the community.

An online survey is available at www.hvlnc.gov/housingplan to gather input from those unable to attend a listening session.

The listening sessions are not equipped to address immediate housing needs. For information on the Henderson County Disaster Recovery Center and applying for disaster assistance with FEMA, visit https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/helene.