As home prices continue to soar in Asheville, putting a financial strain on many locals, one nonprofit organization is stepping up to address the affordability issue in the area. Mountain Housing Opportunities, an Asheville-based community development corporation, has proposed a new affordable housing development on Pentland Hills Drive, off of New Leicester Highway.
A Beacon of Hope for Aspiring Homeowners
The proposed development, named "Pentland Hills," aims to alleviate the housing crisis by offering 37 single-family homes and 32 townhome-style units, catering to individuals and families in need of affordable housing options. The project is a testament to Mountain Housing Opportunities' commitment to building and improving homes with a focus on affordability.
Making Homeownership a Reality for All
The development's affordability is a key aspect, with all 69 units being sold to individuals and families earning below the area median income. Mountain Housing Opportunities' Homeownership Manager, Joe Quinlan, explained, "All homes will be sold, not leased. At least 75% of the homes will be sold to low-income families (earning 80% or less of the area median income). MHO will provide soft-second financing to these families as needed."
In Asheville, where the median area income for one person was reported to be $59,500 in 2023, earning 80% of the area median income translates to $47,600. With home prices in the city steadily rising, far surpassing national prices, the need for affordable housing options has never been more crucial. In 2023, Asheville's median home sale price stood at $485,000.
Empowering the Community through Self-Help Homeownership
As part of the development, six homes will be included in Mountain Housing Opportunities' Self-Help Homeownership program. This unique initiative brings qualifying families together to actively participate in the construction of their own homes, under the guidance of an MHO supervisor. It not only fosters a sense of community but also allows families to take pride in the place they call home.
The proposal outlines a nearly two-year process, culminating in the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment meeting on February 15, 2026. The land for the development was purchased for $750,000 in 2022, and the construction is planned to be carried out in three phases, starting from January 2025.
A Strong Collaborative Effort
The Pentland Hills development comes on the heels of Mountain Housing Opportunities' $2.5 million investment from First Citizens Bank, which has allowed the nonprofit to finance seven ongoing developments and seek additional land for future affordable housing projects. This investment highlights the significance of collaboration in addressing the housing affordability crisis in the region.
MHO President and CEO, Geoffrey Barton, expressed his optimism, stating, "We hope that investments like this signal to other potential funders that MHO is an organization of choice for social benefit investments, and we intend to leverage this EQ2 for exponential impact."
In total, Mountain Housing Opportunities is currently working on building 346 affordable apartments and 80 affordable homes across seven developments in Buncombe County and Haywood County.
Upholding Fairness through the Board of Adjustment Process
To bring the Pentland Hills development to fruition, the project is seeking a special use permit from the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment. The board members, as part of the quasi-judicial process, will carefully consider the application, evaluate its compliance with existing laws, and review ordinance standards.
As of now, one application for legal standing against the development has been submitted, available for public view on the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment website. Legal standing is granted to those who can demonstrate potential damages resulting from the proposed development.
The vote on the development is scheduled for the upcoming Board of Adjustment meeting on February 14, 2026.
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Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.