City Hosts Housing Summit
Asheville City Council will host an Asheville-Buncombe Housing Summit, 2-5 p.m. Monday, November 16, 2015, at the U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall, featuring two moderated discussions about the challenges and how public and the private sector can work together to provide affordable housing for our communities. A reception will follow.
The keynote speaker will be Laura Clark, Executive Director of Renaissance West Community Initiatives in Charlotte, which provides a holistic approach to affordable, mixed-income housing by incorporating wellness elements as well as job training, educational opportunities, access to transportation and recreation.
One panel, moderated by Sam Powers, Director of Community & Economic Development, will focus on challenges in affordable housing development.
Panelists include:
- Patrick Bowen, President, Bowen National Research
- Pat Carver, Area Executive, First Citizen’s Bank
- Jon Creighton, Assistant County Manager, Buncombe County
- Robin Merrell, Managing Attorney, Pisgah Legal Services
- Robin Raines, Vice President, Rowhouse Architects
- Paul Szurek, Chief Financial Officer, Biltmore Farms
The second panel, moderated by Jack Cecil, president of Biltmore Farms, will address opportunities in affordable housing development, with panelists
- Jeanne Bonds, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
- Mike Butrum, Government Affairs Director, Land of the Sky Association of Realtors
- Scott Dedman, President, Mountain Housing Opportunities
- Chip Kassinger, President, Kassinger Development Group
- Todd Okolichany, Director, Planning & Urban Design, City of Asheville
The more voices at the table the better, and any resident is encouraged to attend and participate. RSVP by email to [email protected].
