Asheville City Council Approves Funding for Affordable Housing and Wildfire Safety

Council members take action on key agenda items at February 24th meeting

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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At the February 24th, 2026 Asheville City Council meeting, council members approved several important measures, including providing $940,000 in HOME funding for the development of the Apple Ridge affordable rental housing project and accepting a $74,949.10 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA to purchase wildland personal protective equipment for the Asheville Fire Department.

Why it matters

These actions demonstrate the City Council's commitment to addressing the affordable housing crisis and enhancing public safety through wildfire preparedness in the Asheville area. The Apple Ridge project will create 60 new affordable rental units, while the firefighter equipment grant will help protect first responders and the community from the growing threat of wildfires.

The details

The Council ratified the execution of documents to provide $940,000 in HOME funding for the Apple Ridge affordable housing development in Henderson County, which will create 60 new affordable rental units. They also accepted a $74,949.10 grant from FEMA to purchase essential wildland personal protective equipment for the Asheville Fire Department to enhance wildfire safety.

  • The City Council meeting took place on February 24, 2026.
  • The Apple Ridge affordable housing project is expected to move forward with the approved $940,000 in funding.
  • The Asheville Fire Department will use the $74,949.10 FEMA grant to purchase the new wildland personal protective equipment.

The players

James Shelton

Community Development Division Manager for the City of Asheville.

Mike Cayse

Fire Chief of the Asheville Fire Department.

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What they’re saying

“This $940,000 allocation of federal HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds provides the final financing necessary to move the Apple Ridge project forward. By ratifying this agreement, the City is ensuring the development of 60 affordable rental units to help address the current housing shortage in the Asheville area.”

— James Shelton, Community Development Division Manager (ashevillenc.gov)

“We are grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for awarding the Asheville Fire Department this Assistance to Firefighters Grant. These funds will be instrumental in purchasing essential wildland personal protective equipment, significantly enhancing the safety of our firefighters and the community as we address the risks associated with wildland fires.”

— Mike Cayse, Fire Chief (ashevillenc.gov)

What’s next

The Apple Ridge affordable housing project is expected to move forward with the approved $940,000 in funding, and the Asheville Fire Department will use the $74,949.10 FEMA grant to purchase the new wildland personal protective equipment.

The takeaway

The Asheville City Council's actions at the February 24th meeting demonstrate their commitment to addressing the city's affordable housing crisis and enhancing public safety through wildfire preparedness. These initiatives will have a meaningful impact on the local community by creating new affordable housing units and equipping firefighters with the necessary gear to respond to wildfires.