Vote YES on bonds
By Andy Barnett, Executive Director
The beauty of our mountains and the strength of our neighbors are among Buncombe County’s greatest assets. It’s our job to take care of them. This election season, Buncombe County votes on two important ballot questions:
- A $40 million bond for affordable housing. This bond invests in the County’s goal of adding 3,150 new units of housing. This helps ensure stable housing for children, homeownership for working families, and safe homes for seniors.
- A $30 million bond for open space. This bond protects our land and water for future generations. It also supports recreational trails and greenways across the community.
A “yes” vote gives Buncombe County the tools to protect our land and ensure that the people who make our community work can afford to call it home.
Bonds work! As part of the 2016 City of Asheville housing bond, Asheville Habitat received no-interest construction financing for 6 homes. Coupled with private contributions, these cost savings helped make homeownership affordable to low wage health care and hospitality workers. Habitat repaid the city when the homes sold. Those funds are now available to reinvest in promising solutions and proven strategies.
Buncombe County affordable housing bonds will be a powerful tool for a proven partner. Over the past 5 years, Buncombe County has helped Habitat improve housing for more than 450 of our neighbors. The county’s focus on housing is real. The Board of Commissioners has approved ambitious, but achievable housing goals. They have increased local resources to build, preserve, and make housing more attainable and invested in the staff needed to face our housing challenges. Buncombe County is ready to put housing bonds to work for our community!
Asheville Habitat endorses bonds for housing and open space. I encourage you to vote “yes” to help build a community where everyone has a place to call home. Learn more about the bond referendum at https://betterwithbonds.org/. Find voting information here.
