Thrive Asheville

Thrive Asheville is periodically asked to join others in support of issues that align with our vision for a more equitable, sustainable and connected community. In that spirit, Thrive has joined the Reclaim Healthcare WNC Coalition in advocating for quality healthcare that our community deserves. Learn more about the Coalition at https://buff.ly/3LGgDOG and read the coalition’s op-ed here: https://buff.ly/3SOF14x

IMPROVED CONDITIONS: This past year alone, Thrive supported the moves of 86 households to long-term, stable, neighborhood housing, for a total of 121 households connected with new housing opportunities over the lifetime of our housing programs. More results to be shared in our annual Impact Report, coming this fall. Subscribe to our mailing list at thriveavl.org to receive the latest report when it’s released.

Thrive continues to recruit new landlords in accepting federal rental assistance and has so far helped move a total of 121 low-income families from unstable to long-term neighborhood housing through our Landlord Tenant Partnership and the Buncombe Rental Assistance Collaborative. Learn more about LTP at https://buff.ly/3TmlYhA and BRAC at https://buff.ly/3zL2soC

THRIVE’S BOARD MEMBERS LEAD THE WAY Thrive is excited to welcome to our newest class of Board Members: Justice Rogers, former chair of LEAF, board member of the YMI, retired federal law enforcement official. Patrick Fitzsimmons, Mayor of Weaverville and Chair of the Land of Sky Regional Council, former executive director of Mountain BizWorks and American Red Cross. Lisa-Gaye Hall, former administrator for Buncombe County Bar Association, former executive director of Asheville City Schools Foundation,and education leader. Learn about the work our Board leads by subscribing to our mailing list at thriveavl.org

Four Thrive Board Members have completed their terms and we thank them for their service. Adrian Vassallo, with Forvis Wealth Management, served as Treasurer. Jay Richardson, of Burial Beer and formerly New Belgium, was on the Strategic Planning Committee. Francisco Castelblanco of MAHEC was on the Executive Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. Liz Button, a founder of Curate and Board Chair of Asheville Independent Restaurant served on Thrive’s Development Committee, Governance Committee, and helped lead our Thrive Together events. We are grateful to Adrian, Jay, Francisco, and Liz for their leadership, support, and service.

More Landlords Are Part of the Solution to Asheville’s Housing Crisis Thrive continues to join forces with new landlords in Asheville and Buncombe County to offer affordable housing options. This collaboration strengthens our community's response to the housing crisis. Buncombe Rental Assistance Collaborative (BRAC) creates a mutually beneficial environment for landlords and tenants. Through education and support, BRAC fosters positive relationships and contributes to a thriving community. Learn more about BRAC by checking out the website https://buff.ly/3zL2soC

Thrive Asheville’s Initiatives Increase Housing Stock in our Community Providing affordable housing options is crucial. By working with landlords of existing properties to understand the benefits of accepting Federal Rental Assistance and help them to close the profitability gap, Thrive Asheville secured access to 86 new units for residents in need. While building takes time, this is a significant step in addressing the housing shortage. Building new units takes years, but reclaiming existing units is faster. Want to know more or get involved? Check out https://buff.ly/3zL2soC

Thrive Asheville is joining local leaders to advocate for better healthcare in WNC. We know that high-quality healthcare is essential to our thriving community. Learn more about Reclaim Healthcare WNC by following the www.reclaimhealthcarewnc or clicking the link in bio. @CAN_ALV @reclaimhealthcarewnc @wnchealthequity @hcfawnc @searchwnc

Every rental relationship requires landlords and property managers to take some level of risk. Thrive’s goal is to find common ground between the critical housing needs of our community and property owner interests: collaborating to solve complex issues in a new paradigm of housing. The Buncombe Rental Assistance Collaborative connects landlords, property managers, & nonprofits with those in need of housing opportunities in Buncombe County, and uplifts property management goals through financial incentives, damage mitigation, and advocacy. Learn more about BRAC + our community partners at https://buff.ly/3zL2soC

Did you know Thrive is a small + young organization working to make our community a better place? As a new organization formally launched in 2021, Thrive has accomplished a lot. - Launched innovative affordable housing initiatives that are changing lives - 102 families moved to stable housing so far - Informed policies that will impact local housing affordability for the future - Identified model approaches for sustainable tourism, or “destination stewardship” - Supported entrepreneurial training that links BIPOC (Black Indigenous People Of Color) owned businesses with the tourism industry Stay tuned to learn more about Thrive’s successes and plans for the future. Subscribe to our newsletter for the most up-to-date information at buff.ly/3w2PVvd