The City of Asheville’s Community and Economic Development (CED) department has announced a significant investment in local housing infrastructure. Starting March 16, 2026, the city will begin accepting applications for $3 million in funding through the HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) program, specifically designated for affordable rental construction.
The application window, known as the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), will remain open until Friday, May 15, 2026.
Targeting Homelessness and Housing Instability
This funding is a portion of a larger $4.7 million federal award granted to the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium (ARHC) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The primary goal of this $3 million allocation is to support housing projects that serve the region's most vulnerable populations, including:
Individuals and families currently experiencing homelessness.
Those at immediate risk of homelessness.
Other qualifying populations in need of stable, affordable rental options.
A Regional Effort
While the City of Asheville administers the funds, the impact spans across Western North Carolina. The ARHC is a cooperative body that pools resources to address housing needs across four counties:
Buncombe
Madison
Henderson
Transylvania
Key Application Requirements
To ensure that new projects integrate with existing local efforts, the CED has implemented a mandatory requirement for all applicants.
Mandatory Requirement: All applicants must obtain and submit a letter of support from their local Continuum of Care (CoC). This ensures that proposed developments align with the broader community-wide strategy for ending homelessness.
How to Apply
Developers and organizations interested in these funds can find the full NOFO, program manuals, and eligibility requirements on the city’s official HOME-ARP web page Link: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/department/community-economic-development/community-development/funding-programs/home-arp/