Foundational findings

• Limited homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income households
• Residents’ fears or experiences of displacement
• Rising property taxes in the face of rising property values
• A housing stock that doesn’t meet residents’ needs for affordability, size, type, or accessibility
• A rapidly growing population, many of whose wages don’t match area housing costs

Priority plans

• Promote policies and resources that help residents stay and thrive (e.g. expanding tenant protections and homeownership readiness initiatives).
• Preserve existing affordable housing and improve housing quality (e.g. acquiring affordable housing at risk of affordability loss).
• Increase housing supply that meets the needs of current and future residents (e.g. reducing regulatory barriers).
• Align place-based policies and programs with related city initiatives (e.g. incentivizing transit-oriented development).
• Broaden and strengthen the affordable housing ecosystem and tools (e.g. increasing nonprofit service providers’ capacity).

• NC Museum of History Community Gathering | Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Hatch Coworking | Free | Inform the creation of new museum exhibits through a discussion of sharing the state’s layered history with the community and visitors.
• UNC Asheville Votes Down-ballot Information Session | Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 6-7:30 p.m. | UNC Asheville - Manheimer Room, Reuter Center | Free | Cast an informed vote with the help of this info session that goes over all the races that will be on your ballot this election cycle (beyond the office of the president).*

• Jazz Jam | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 7-10 p.m. | LEAF Global Arts | $10 | Come as you are or bring your instrument to experience the sounds of jazz + open jam session.

• Don Julio Tequila Dinner | Friday, Sept. 13 | 7-9 p.m. | Mountain Madre | $75 | Dine on a three-course dinner and sip tequila pairings while you enjoy good company.
• Friday the 13th Killer Comedy | Friday, Sept. 13 | 7-9 p.m. | plēb urban winery | $18 | Settle in for scary camp stories and outdoor thrills from a lineup of dangerously hilarious comedians.

• Festival of Neighborhoods | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Park | Free | Gather with your community for games, music, food trucks, and education.
• Trial to Table September Celebration | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 4:30-7 p.m. | Ivory Road, Arden | $25+ | Sample selections of Utopian Seed Project’s trial produce, try small bites from local chefs, and see a bitter melon cooking demonstration.

1. Crowdsource: Ask your customers or employees what they want to do. Maybe they have been dying to attend a gala, take a fun class, put on a fashion show, or host your company’s own Dundie Awards.
2. Find the right partner: Hire a venue with an experienced team, local connections + convenient amenities (the less work for you, the better).
3. Location is everything: Choose a venue people will love, whether it’s centrally located or offers a variety of spaces.

• September 11, also recognized as National Day of Service and Remembrance and Patriot Day. The City of Asheville will host a Remembrance Ceremony this morning at 8:30 a.m., and the Town of Weaverville will hold a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m.

• These local sandwich shops are on the rise. Black Cat Sandwich Company and ButterPunk made it onto Eater Carolinas’ list of the “15 Most Anticipated Restaurants Across the Carolinas for Fall 2024.” The list cited Black Cat’s Italian sandwich offerings and ButterPunk’s flaky biscuits as reasons for edible excitement.

• Oh, the places you’ll grow. This Saturday, Sept. 14, Organic Growers School is hosting its 2nd Annual Sow & Grow Fest at Hickory Nut Gap Farm, celebrating WNC’s food and farming community with plant activities, garden trivia, seed + plant sharing, music, a potluck, and a silent auction.

• Hit the road for this hearing. On Tuesday, Sept. 17, Buncombe County is holding a public hearing for the proposed FY2026 Community Transportation Program Application to be submitted to the NCDOT. The program coordinates existing county transportation services, and its application can be viewed at Land of Sky Regional Council.

• The Campaign for Southern Equality is launching its “Trans Kids, Our Kids” book tour at Citizen Vinyl on Tuesday, Sept. 24. RSVP for a reading, panel discussion with the authors + cover designer, a book signing, and refreshments. Proceeds from book sales benefit the Trans Youth Emergency Project.

• The City of Asheville and ArtsAVL are now accepting applications for the 2025 Event Support Grant. Grants of $3,000-$10,000 are offered to admission-free events held in Asheville’s outdoor spaces (think Symphony in the Park, Asheville Mardi Gras, and Hola Asheville). Get the party started by submitting an application.

• UNC Asheville Votes received a $10,000 donation from Common Cause Education Fund. The money will be used to hire student ambassadors to support leading nonpartisan voter engagement efforts across campus, including voter registration, education, and mobilization.*

• Pardon our dust — renovations are officially underway at McCormick Field. See the groundbreaking and peep the major upgrades that will transform the field into a modernized baseball stadium + a year-round, multi-use facility (think: more events at McCormick).*

• Have you entered our Fall Staycay + Night Out Giveaway in partnership with the newly-opened Moxy Asheville and Wildwood Still? There are still two days left to enter to win a two-night hotel stay and $200 restaurant gift card (a $1,200 value). Enter on our Instagram before Friday, Sept. 13 at noon.*

• Perched on a hilltop with mountain views for days, this authentic 1970s log cabin includes a covered balcony off the primary suite, an in-ground pool, and a stone fireplace that’ll have you yearning for chilly winter nights.*

• Free blood pressure checks and diabetes screenings will be available for all during the upcoming Hispanic + Latino Health and Wellness Fair, Sept. 17-20, at the Reuter Family YMCA. Email for details and volunteer opportunities.*