At the January 26th Asheville City Council meeting, several issues were raised related to homelessness in Asheville.
Agenda of the 26 January 2010 meeting (agenda is in .doc format)
More Buses for the City of Asheville
Buses are a regular part of getting around Asheville for those who are homeless, and more buses means more mobility. Though part of the consent agenda, one item concerning the city applying for a grant from the Federal Transit Administration toward the purchase of five new buses (three 30-foot diesel buses and two 30-foot low floor hybrid diesel-electric buses) was brought up for discussion. Paul Van Heden of the Asheville Transit Commission came forward to make a recommendation to amend the grant proposal to include the purchase of a sixth bus, mentioning that a deal was available to purchase the sixth bus at a cost of forty-thousand to the city–he cited that several of the buses were past their prime and could use replacing. The point was discussed by board members—Jan Davis was against the purchase of an additional bus and Bothwell simply had questions about the new buses efficiency—and the representative from the Transit Authority. The gentleman from the Transit Authority advised that the city could return to the purchase of new buses again later and the agenda item stood as is to apply for the grant for the purchase of five buses.
Changes made to the Housing Trust Fund Guidelines
With the decline in the economy comes the inevitable decline in monies available to the city of Asheville for various projects. One such program, the Housing Trust Fund, had its budget almost halved last year. Because of the reduction of funds the eligibility guidelines for those seeking loans from the city for building housing projects were reconsidered, and recommendations were made to city council for twenty-one points of change.
Some of the changes include the loss of monies given as grants–all money will now be given in the form of loans; emphasis of loans granted to projects that create multi-family rental units and rental units of one-bedroom and efficiency units (the goal is to have 75% of available funds granted to rental projects); and emphasis placed on units built near major transit corridors. Many of the changes in changing the guidelines were to put the Housing Trust Fund Guidelines in alignment with the strategies in the Affordable Housing Plan. As such, all projects approved for the Housing Trust Fund must have 20% of their project designated as “affordable housing.”
During the community commentary of the changes in the guidelines, the Council was approached by a man who identified himself as Brother Christopher. Brother Christopher wanted to see changes to the guidelines that specifically encouraged the building of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) building projects and exhorted the council to look to the example of Japan for alternative housing designs. Single Room Occupancy units are buildings where bedrooms are private, but bathrooms, kitchen and all other living spaces are communal and run by a building manager. Brother Christopher said that it was this kind of living situation that he could afford, while single bedroom units are prohibitively expensive.
In reply, Mayor Bellamy pointed out that SROs are legal within current zoning laws, but that it was up to the individuals who would like to own or operate such a building.
The changes to the guildelines passed unanimously.
Brother Christopher and the Prophecy
Brother Christopher who addressed the Council on the issue of SROs also took the time to address the council during Informal Discussion and Public Comment with both criticism of the treatment of the power and a prophecy unless the City should change its policies and practices. The following is a summary of his address on the treatment of the poor and homeless by city government:
For eight years, I’ve been coming here and for eight years, I have seen; very little direct movement to alieve the oppression on the poor of Asheville. The panhandling ordinance establishes what you do in the first half ; and turns out you turn that around in the second half. I have been stopped by an officer for carrying a sign proclaiming the gospel.
Where can I legally stay in asheville if I have no home? I just found out; if you look at all these trespassing signs–according to North Carolina law there’s a right to camping law. A NC citizen can camp on state property without harassment.
I have seen more civil rights violations in this town than anywhere else. April 4th I get to celebrate because its when a great man, Martin Luther King Jr. died who would roll in his grave if he saw this City Council, and it’s my birthday.
Check my record, I have not failed in a single prophecy to this Council. I have predicted inclement weather once before, and it happened; I predicited a second time, and it came to be. Before, it’s been a financial inconvienence to this city, now it will be a life inconvenience. For this will be hard if Asheville will not repent; from the Mayor to the least.
Other Topics
City Council also heard recommendations concerning the management of the Water and Sewage System, received an update on the 2025 Master Plan, voted on a 90 day extension to a relationship with Western North Carolina Community Media Center (formerly URTV; 90 day extension passed unanimously), and proclaimed February 2010 as Black History Month.
