Meet Our Board--Matt Allen
Matt Allen is a new member of the Thrive 2023-2024 Board of Directors. He is the Director of Professional Development and Government Affairs at the Land of the Sky Association of Realtors® (LOTSAR), working on behalf of over 2,100 Realtor® association members in all things related to education, policy, and advocacy. Matt graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.A., majoring in Communications and minoring in Japanese. He then earned a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law where his studies focused on International Law and Real Property Law. Previous to LOTSAR, Matt worked in law, education, and real estate.
We talked with Matt about the future of affordable housing in Asheville-Buncombe County. Keep reading to find out more.
Q: How does Thrive Asheville's mission align with your work at LOTSAR?
MA: Providing access to safe and habitable housing is a core tenet of the REALTOR association at all levels, including LOTSAR. Federal Rental Assistance (FRA) is just one way that families can access such housing in the private rental market to avoid houselessness or other kinds of housing instability and, in a short period of time, Thrive AVL has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring FRA dollars stay in the community and help local families. I became aware of one of the Thrive AVL’s earliest initiatives involving FRA, the Landlord Tenant Partnership, and, with some financial assistance from our state association (NC REALTORS), LOTSAR was able to provide support for the program. Similar financial support from the national association (NAR), along with a contribution from LOTSAR, helped support Thrive AVL’s next housing initiative – the Buncombe Rental Assistance Collaborative (BRAC). I’m so excited about the housing work Thrive AVL does and that the organization I work for can provide support and exposure for those programs.
Q: What do you see as the major opportunities for the City and County to encourage the development of affordable housing in the coming years?
MA: The City and County are already doing some great work in finding solutions to our housing crisis, and I sincerely applaud them for that. In addition to the work they’re already doing, including loan and downpayment assistance programs and the creation of affordable housing developments, I’d like to see more meaningful action in the way of adjusting zoning and land use regulations to allow for more diverse types of housing, including “missing middle” housing, as well as accessory dwelling units, cottages, and tiny homes. On a related note, other regulatory changes, such as reducing minimum lot size or parking requirements, can help in freeing up available land for more housing units. Opportunities to adaptively reuse underutilized or vacant commercial spaces, churches, etc., into housing is also something that should be taken advantage of whenever possible. Updating restrictive permitting and antiquated zoning regulations will help open up more options in repurposing those types of buildings for housing, including affordable housing. I could go on, but I’ll stop there!
Q: From your point-of-view, how is Thrive contributing to the conversation around affordable housing?
MA: I would say very meaningfully. Those working on housing solutions in the area, whether in the public or private sector, already look to Thrive AVL’s programs and reports as essential tools and resources. One look at Thrive AVL’s 2023 Impact Report and anyone can quickly see the significant influence the organization has had in helping to addressing housing issues in the community. That influence will only increase as more and more community members become aware of Thrive AVL and the important work it’s doing to address important issues, including housing.
Q: What's one of your favorite "hidden gems" in Asheville-Buncombe County?
MA: Not sure how much a hidden gem it is anymore but, as a huge soccer fan, I’m going to say Olde London Road in the River Arts District. In addition to being the only true soccer bar in town, they also have an incredible food truck (the smash burger and wings are particularly phenomenal) and a pool table. What’s not to love?
Want to hear more from Matt? Check out this episode of Grateful Mindset Properties Realty Radio Show with Judi Moolten (@GratefulMindsetProperties) where Matt is the featured guest!