Looking at Intentionally Affordable Housing
Last week a group of affordable housing advocates had the opportunity to tour BeLoved Asheville, which has developed what it calls “deeply affordable” housing in Buncombe County.
It was a new term for many of us participating in the tour, but the concept is straightforward: finding ways to make safe, stable housing affordable for people who otherwise might believe decent housing is out of reach.
This was the first of several housing tours I’m arranging with a group of about 15 organizations and community members who are passionate about finding workable housing solutions for Haywood County.
At BeLoved Asheville, 12 homes, each about 575 to 625 square feet, were constructed on a single acre. Fundraising and community “barn raisings” helped cover construction costs. Each home cost approximately $94,000, and the development uses a rent-equity model.
What interested me just as much as the homes was the community being created around them.
Residents contribute 10 hours of volunteer time each month in ways that fit their interests and abilities. A retired preschool teacher offers story time. Another resident organizes potlucks and social gatherings. One couple picks up trash, while another produces a monthly newsletter.
Neighbors also help one another when a child is sick, someone needs a ride or a family hits a difficult stretch.
BeLoved Asheville is now working on a 19-home community for families whose homes were lost during Hurricane Helene. Those homes will be larger and are expected to cost approximately $168,000 each.
The Haywood County group touring the development included representatives from ReBuild Haywood, the Waynesville Housing Authority, Haywood Community College, Haywood Habitat for Humanity and Homes for Hope. There is much more for us to learn.
Our next visits will include housing models offered by Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) and other developments across the region. I’ll continue sharing what we learn and, most importantly, which ideas might make sense for Haywood County.