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ABOUT US
A Legacy of Service to Asheville
The Housing Authority of the City of Asheville has been providing safe, quality, and affordable housing for over 80 years — ensuring every resident has a place to call home.
1940
Year Founded
80+
Years of Service
7,000+
HCVP Units
3
Historic Communities
Our Mission
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The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville is to provide safe, quality, and affordable housing, to expand available resources, and to collaborate with the community to create opportunities for resident self-reliance and economic independence.
Housing Authority of the City of Asheville
Serving Asheville Since 1940
Who We Are
The Housing Authority of the City of Asheville was established on June 12, 1940, in response to growing concerns about housing conditions and the need for safe, stable homes for Asheville families. Although early progress was delayed by World War II, the Authority was reactivated on January 3, 1949, renewing its commitment to providing decent, safe, and sanitary housing for those in need. For more than 80 years, HACA has remained dedicated to strengthening communities by expanding access to affordable housing, supporting working families, and managing public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), which serves over 7,000 housing units across the region. While the needs of Asheville continue to evolve, HACA’s mission remains the same: helping individuals and families find a place to call home.
Building Asheville’s Communities
Our History
Even with affordable housing efforts brought by the Housing Authority, large areas of substandard housing and poverty still plagued Asheville. To address the task of eliminating slums and blight and restoring neighborhoods, the Redevelopment Commission was formed in 1958.
City redevelopment was becoming a major movement in Asheville in 1967, an effort with which the Authority had always been closely associated. In 1971, the Housing Authority and the Redevelopment Commission were merged under the directorship of Ray Wheeling.
Urban redevelopment brought great changes to the Asheville community. Asheville struggled with segregation issues throughout the 1960s, achieving compliance with federal mandates in the early 1970s. A renewed federal commitment to domestic issues sparked a wide range of new services and programs at the Housing Authority.
At the end of 1970, HUD favored leasing rather than building new units. The 1977 Federal Section 8 Housing Program further shifted focus from public housing construction to providing subsidies for privately owned rentals — resulting in the 248-unit Asheville Terrace on Tunnel Road in 1980.
1940
HACA Founded
Established June 12, 1940, in response to growing concerns about housing conditions across Asheville.
1950
Lee Walker Heights Opens
HACA’s first development opens, named after Professor W.S. Lee and Dr. J.W. Walker. Over 350 applicants applied for 96 modern apartments.
1952
Pisgah View Apartments
HACA’s second community opens, expanding affordable housing access across the city.
1958
Redevelopment Commission
Formed to address substandard housing and blight, restoring Asheville’s neighborhoods.
1959
Hillcrest Apartments
HACA’s third major community opens, growing the city’s affordable housing portfolio.
1971
HACA & Redevelopment Merge
The Housing Authority and Redevelopment Commission were merged under the directorship of Ray Wheeling.
1977
Section 8 Housing Program
The Federal Section 8 Program launches, shifting government strategy from constructing public housing to subsidizing privately owned rentals for low-income families and individuals.
1980
Asheville Terrace Opens
A 248-unit elderly Section 8 complex on Tunnel Road opens as Asheville Gardens, later renamed Asheville Terrace — a new chapter in affordable senior housing for the city.
Today
HACA Today
HACA operates 10 public housing developments with 1,534 units and 248 special program units, while administering the Housing Choice Voucher Program for more than 1,355 low-income individuals and families — carrying forward a mission that began during the Great Depression and continues to shape Asheville today.
HACA By the Numbers
85 Years of Impact
10
Public Housing
Developments
Developments
1,534
Total Housing
Units
Units
1,355+
Families Supported
via Vouchers
via Vouchers
Our History
Building Asheville’s Communities
Even with affordable housing efforts brought by the Housing Authority, large areas of substandard housing and poverty still plagued Asheville. To address the task of eliminating slums and blight and restoring neighborhoods, the Redevelopment Commission was formed in 1958.
City redevelopment was becoming a major movement in Asheville in 1967, an effort with which the Authority had always been closely associated. In 1971, the Housing Authority and the Redevelopment Commission were merged under the directorship of Ray Wheeling.
1940
HACA Founded
Established June 12, 1940, in response to growing concerns about housing conditions across Asheville.
1950
Lee Walker Heights Opens
HACA’s first development opens, named after Professor W.S. Lee and Dr. J.W. Walker. Over 350 applicants applied for 96 modern apartments.
1952
Pisgah View Apartments
HACA’s second community opens, expanding affordable housing access across the city.
1958
Redevelopment Commission
Formed to address substandard housing and blight, restoring Asheville’s neighborhoods.
1959
Hillcrest Apartments
HACA’s third major community opens, growing the city’s affordable housing portfolio.
1971
HACA & Redevelopment Merge
The Housing Authority and Redevelopment Commission were merged under the directorship of Ray Wheeling.
HACA Leadership
Meet the Team
Our dedicated leadership team works every day to advance HACA’s mission of providing safe, quality, and affordable housing across Asheville.
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MJ
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AR
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AS
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ES
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NT
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RN
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SG
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SR
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TBS
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View HACA Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation
View or download Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation below
Annual Financial Reports
View or download annual financial reports
Can’t find the information you’re looking for?
Contact
Phone
(828) 258-1222
Email
frontdesk@haca.org
Administrative Office
165 South French Broad Ave. Asheville NC 28801
HCVP Hours
Central Office Hours
Monday - Wednesday - 9am to 4pm
Thursdays HCVP by appointment only.
Please contact your case worker for an appointment.
We are an Equal Housing Opportunity Provider. We provide housing without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental handicap, familial status, national origin, or other protected class. To file a complaint of discrimination, write HUD Director, Office of Civil Rights, 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20410 or call Customer Service at (202) 708-1112 (voice) (202) 708-1455 (TTY). HUD is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
In accordance with federal law and United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or familial status. To file a complaint of discrimination, write HUD Director, Office of Civil Rights, 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410, or call (202) 708-1112 (voice) or (202) 708-1455 (TDD).
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