Buncombe County -- Even as Asheville braces for service reductions, Buncombe County residents can anticipate significant investments in community services and infrastructure, thanks to a proposed $504 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2026-27. The 15 percent budget increase from the current $438 million raises questions about resource allocation across the region. How will these diverging financial strategies impact residents in both the county and the city?
The proposed county budget includes $4.4 million to fund 37 new staff positions and $242,000 to develop a 342-acre county park in Deaverview. An additional $4 million is earmarked for "community investments," including $2.3 million for affordable housing and $1 million in nonprofit grants. These allocations come at a critical time. Asheville and Buncombe County face a record high in homelessness, exacerbated by events like Hurricane Helene and rising housing costs. Homeward Bound served 1,160 people in 2025, and transitional housing usage has risen from more than 150 people in 2025 to 245 this year.
Buncombe County's investment in affordable housing and nonprofit support could provide a crucial safety net as Asheville considers service reductions. The Continuum of Care (CoC) has developed a three-year strategic plan to address the homelessness crisis, and the county's financial commitment aligns with these efforts. County Manager Avril Pinder noted that the budget requests represent less than half of the 86 positions originally requested by departments, indicating a careful prioritization of needs.