Asheville, DEI and Helene

Asheville changes Helene disaster recovery plan after federal criticism of ‘DEI criteria’
The Housing and Urban Development secretary said the department will not approve any plans that aren’t compliant with President Donald Trump’s executive orders.
Trump admin denounces Asheville's $225 million Helene recovery plan for including DEI program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner stated that the draft action plan for the $225 million disaster recovery funds would not be approved in it's current form.
‘DEI is dead’: HUD secretary rejects DEI criteria in Asheville’s draft disaster plan
"Asheville’s draft action plan incorporated DEI criteria to prioritize some impacted residents over others, which was unacceptable," the secretary said.
City revises $225M draft Helene recovery plan after HUD rejects DEI elements
Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer said the city has revised the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery draft action plan.
HUD rejects Asheville’s Helene recovery plan because of its DEI targets
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rejected Hurricane Helene repair efforts in Asheville, N.C., because the city’s proposed recovery plan features a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program that conflicts with President Trump’s January executive order.
‘DEI is dead.' HUD axes DEI programs in Asheville's $225M Helene recovery plan
Asheville has to revise its plan that would prioritize assistance for minority and women-owned businesses as part of a post-Helene Small Business Support program, Trump official says.
Trump admin makes Asheville remove ‘DEI’ language to access hurricane relief aid
Trump portrayed himself as savior to hurricane-ravaged North Carolina. Now his HUD is playing politics with critical aid.
Asheville man arrested after luring, assaulting child at city park, bystanders say: APD
An Asheville man faces a felony charge after bystanders reported an alleged sexual assault of a child at a Weaver Park on ...
Liberal North Carolina city's DEI plan for hurricane relief shut down by HUD secretary
Secretary of Department of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner shut down an Asheville, North Carolina, Hurricane ...
16,000 structures were destroyed in the L.A. fires. Here’s what the city can learn from Asheville’s Hurricane Helene recovery
Both Los Angeles and western North Carolina had housing shortages before disaster struck. Asheville's immediate response ...
Asheville code changes could make it easier to build housing along transit corridors
Developers say a new slate of regulatory changes to the city's Unified Development Ordinance will make it easier to build ...
WUNC1d
Last night at Council: Asheville's 'sad' Arby's inspires looser zoning rules
The local zoning changes approved Tuesday include: ...
Mountain Xpress1d
City of Asheville launches ART Comprehensive Operational Analysis to enhance public transit
The City of Asheville is launching the ART Comprehensive Operational Analysis, a strategic initiative to improve transit services and align resources with community needs. The plan will evaluate ...
City of Asheville to hold three sessions on $225 million HUD funding input
The City of Asheville wants the public's feedback on its plan to use $225 million from the Department of Housing and Urban ...