Asheville Mayoral Candidates Debate Housing Solutions
Candidates Esther Manheimer and Kim Roney presented competing strategies for housing and homelessness in a recent forum.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in City Hall
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Should city leaders prioritize renovating existing homes over building new apartment complexes?
Asheville mayoral candidates Esther Manheimer and Kim Roney discussed strategies for addressing housing and homelessness during a community forum at Highland Brewing. The debate highlighted differing approaches to city development ahead of the upcoming election.
Why it matters
The forum centered on how the next administration will address Asheville's housing crisis, which remains a primary concern for local voters. Both candidates presented distinct visions for regulatory reform to improve accessibility and affordability for residents.
Manheimer secured $225 million in CDBG-DR funds to support city development. The city zoning code has remained unchanged since 1987.
The players
Esther Manheimer
She is a candidate for Mayor of Asheville who currently serves as the city's mayor and highlighted her success in securing federal recovery funds.
Kim Roney
She is an Asheville mayoral candidate who has advocated for sector-based housing strategies to address local workforce needs.
Homeward Bound of WNC
This is a regional nonprofit organization focused on addressing homelessness that co-hosted the mayoral forum.
Carolina Real Estate Investors Association
This professional trade organization represents local real estate investors and helped organize the candidate discussion.
The details
Manheimer advocated for a comprehensive rewrite of the city's Unified Development Ordinance to modernize building standards. Meanwhile, Roney proposed the implementation of sector-based housing, an initiative intended to place local workers in closer proximity to their employment centers.
Timeline
1987: The city zoning code was last updated.
October 20, 2026: Asheville mayoral candidates attended a community forum.
November 3, 2026: Election Day.
Political Context
The debate over the Unified Development Ordinance illustrates how local officials struggle to update regulatory frameworks in growing cities. Proposals to modify this code reflect a broader shift among candidates seeking to move beyond land-use policies that have remained stagnant for decades.
The proposed zoning and housing changes could directly impact future neighborhood development and property density in Asheville. Residents should review the candidates' specific ordinance plans to understand how potential regulatory shifts might affect local housing affordability and workforce access.
The takeaway
Voters now have two distinct development philosophies to consider regarding how Asheville should modernize its 1987 zoning standards. This election will determine whether the city pursues a broad ordinance rewrite or a more targeted, sector-based housing approach.
Further reading
For more information on local government policy, visit Asheville City Hall.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLOS.
Live Poll
Should city leaders prioritize renovating existing homes over building new apartment complexes?
