Lady Gloria Ridge Community
A community-rooted solution to housing insecurity.
On October 21, 2025, the Lady Gloria Ridge Community Building was officially consecrated, marking a milestone in affordable housing and community-driven development.
The event, held under a white tent on West Haywood Street, was a heartfelt celebration of resilience, collaboration, and hope. The Lady Gloria Ridge Community, developed by Haywood Street Congregation, features 41 permanently affordable apartments—a vital resource in a city grappling with rising housing costs.
A Spirit-Led Celebration
The consecration ceremony was rich with symbolism and community spirit. Emily Witherspoon, a future resident and breast cancer survivor who has experienced homelessness and housing insecurity, offered a powerful liturgical dance that embodied the emotional weight of the occasion. Her performance was one of several expressions of gratitude and joy shared throughout the day.
Speakers included Rev. Dr. Caroline Proctor, Meredith Ellison, and McKenzie Dillingham, the former board chair of Haywood Street Community Development. Each reflected on the years of planning, fundraising, and advocacy that brought the project to life. Their remarks underscored the building’s role not just as shelter, but as a sanctuary for dignity and belonging.
A Vision Realized
The Lady Gloria Ridge Community is more than a housing complex—it’s a manifestation of Haywood Street Congregation’s mission to serve those most in need with compassion and creativity. The building is expected to be move-in ready by the end of 2025, offering stable homes to individuals and families who have long been priced out of Asheville’s competitive rental market.
The Lady Gloria Ridge Community is named for Gloria Howard Free, also known as Lady Gloria Free, a beloved Asheville native who grew up on Clingman Avenue in the West End/Clingman Avenue Neighborhood (WECAN). The Haywood Street Community Development team chose her as the namesake for their first affordable housing project to honor her deep roots and contributions to the community.
Gloria Free’s life and work embody the spirit of dignity, resilience, and connection that the project aims to foster. She was born and reared in the very neighborhood where the building now stands, making the naming a tribute to local history and identity. Her story reflects the values of Haywood Street Congregation—uplifting those who have been marginalized and creating spaces of belonging.
This consecration signals a broader shift toward community-rooted solutions to housing insecurity. By centering the voices and needs of those most affected, the Lady Gloria Ridge project sets a precedent for inclusive, values-driven development.
As Asheville continues to grow, the Lady Gloria Ridge Community stands as a beacon of what’s possible when faith, art, and advocacy converge. It’s a reminder that housing is not just a commodity—it’s a human right, and a foundation for flourishing.
