![]() ![]() Homelessness, meanwhile, is a constant threat to many residents. Asheville's sharp annual rent growth of 13.2% was above the state average of 11.7% and national average of 8.5% the rent tracking company said. Among North Carolina's 11 largest cities, Asheville's $1,506 median June rent for a two-bedroom apartment was second only to high-tech center Cary at $1,514, according to Apartment List. While Asheville area income is far below the national average, its rents are some of the highest in the state. More: Asheville landlords can get up to $10,000 to house low-income residents with vouchers The city has made other efforts to subsidize rental owners to take the vouchers. The federal voucher program covers rent for some of the poorest residents but those in the program often say landlords do not want to rent to them. Their current rents would max out at $620 a month for a studio without utilities and $793 for a two-bedroom unit. At 60% of the area median income, a single voucher user makes no more than $31,575 annually and a family of three no more than $40,575. Those amounts can change with adjustments in the area median income, but they cannot exceed the 80% affordability level for 20 years.įor the other half, landlords must make "good faith efforts" to rent to people using Housing Choice Vouchers. The rents, without utilities, could be a maximum of $884 for a studio or efficiency apartment and $1,132 for a two-bedroom. Currently that is $42,000 for a single person or $54,100 for a family of three. Half of those affordable rentals would go to people making 80% of the area median income. In exchange, owners agree to set at least 20% of their rents at government affordability rates. The program strikes a deal with property owners, giving them a grant equal to the property taxes they pay on a building, excluding the taxes paid on the land. More: Asheville cost of living: Gap between prices and income could grow, despite rising wages "Affordable units from existing housing stock can be added more quickly than new construction that can often take two to three years," D'Angelo said June 30, following City Council approval of the new program. The change presents another way to tackle the housing problem and is a way to get affordable units online fast, said Paul D'Angelo, Asheville's Community Development program director. ASHEVILLE - Facing a housing crunch that is hurting working families and exacerbating homelessness, city leaders have adopted a new policy to pay landlords to convert properties to affordable housing. ![]()
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