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“2026 Buncombe County Bond Affordable Housing Referendum” – Parker Sloan & Debbie Alford
Buncombe County voters will decide on two bonds: open space and housing.
This presentation and discussion will focus on the affordable housing bond ($40 million) – money to promote a diversity of housing as a foundation for affordable, healthy, and thriving communities, particularly for the most vulnerable residents. Cost: estimated at $25/year per $450,000 in home value.
Parker Sloan, District 3 County Commissioner, will discuss the need, success of the prior affordable housing referendum and recommendation of the County Commissioners.
Parker has focused his career on public service, land use policy, and action on climate change. For his day job, Parker is Director of Government Affairs at Advantage Renewables. Parker has a master’s degree in public administration from Western Carolina University and a bachelor’s degree in community planning and geography from Appalachian State University. Parker serves as Chair of the Climate and Environmental Stewardship Committee, on the board of the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization, on Buncombe County’s Affordable Housing Committee, and on the Justice Resource Advisory Council.
Debbie Alford, City of Asheville, Housing and Economic Development Department – Homeless Strategy Division, will discuss City of Asheville housing programs and the impact of this referendum.
Debbie is the Homeless Strategy Specialist- Training and Development with the City of Asheville’s Homeless Strategy Division, which serves as the Lead Agency for the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC). Her background includes managing the Trinity Place Youth Shelter and strategically leading landlord engagement on the Housing Team at Homeward Bound to secure permanent housing for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid Rehousing (RRH) participants.