Members of the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains (BABRM) and Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS® gathered Sept. 16 to hear Asheville’s mayoral candidates discuss one of the city’s most pressing challenges: housing affordability.
The event brought Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and City Council member Kim Roney together for a one-hour conversation about the decisions awaiting the city’s next mayor. City Council members Antanette Mosley, Bo Hess, Sage Turner, and Maggie Ullman were also in attendance.
Questions were developed by Megan Carroll, BABRM Executive Officer, and Matt Allen, Director of Professional Development and Government Affairs for the Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS®, using submissions from attendees. Many questions centered on housing affordability, including the policies, costs, and infrastructure needs that shape what can be built and whether Asheville residents can afford to buy or rent a home.
“Asheville’s housing shortage is not a simple problem, and it will not have a single solution,” Carroll said. “This forum gave members an opportunity to hear how each candidate would approach the regulations, fees, infrastructure needs, and other factors shaping what can be built and what people can afford.”
The conversation came as Asheville prepares for a comprehensive update of its Unified Development Ordinance, the rules that guide how land can be used and developed throughout the city. Both candidates were asked to identify lessons from previous zoning decisions and discuss whether the city should make additional housing-related changes before that larger update is complete.
Other areas of discussion included:
- The cost of building: Which permitting requirements, fees, and approval processes could be changed to help lower construction costs?
- Housing production: What incentives could encourage more homes to be built within Asheville’s limited supply of developable land?
- Infrastructure: How can the city keep roads, sewer service, and other public systems in step with population growth?
- Helene recovery: Which investments should take priority as Asheville continues its long-term recovery?
- Homeownership: How should the city balance funding for rental development and homelessness programs with down-payment assistance and support for existing homeowners?
- Rental housing: How can city leaders protect tenants while giving responsible landlords, property managers, and other housing providers a meaningful voice in policy discussions?
“Builders and REALTORS® see the effects of housing policy up close, but these issues extend far beyond our industries,” Carroll said. “They affect whether teachers, first responders, young families, and older adults can continue calling Asheville home. We appreciate both candidates taking the time to engage in a thoughtful, detailed conversation with our members.”
In-person early voting for North Carolina’s 2026 general election begins Oct. 15 and continues through Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 3. BABRM is also planning a similar candidate forum in Hendersonville. Additional details will be announced soon.
