A Letter from our Director
Dear Thrive supporters,
Recently, there was a tense exchange on my neighborhood email list. Someone claimed that out-of-town developers were negotiating behind the scenes to construct an outsized building of high-end condos. Some neighbors responded with concern, while fewer voices expressed optimism that development could bring needed housing and density. This project is years off - but with little information, the debate is underway.
The Asheville metro area has grown 23% in ten years to more than 360,000 residents. The pressure on infrastructure and housing is real, but so too are the benefits - job growth, a robust art scene, and greenways to name a few. We must innovate and collaborate to meet the challenges of growth, and equitably spread the benefits to more residents. This is Thrive’s purpose.
In this newsletter, you can read about how Thrive is growing under Connection. Check-in on our progress in the access-to-housing space under Collaboration. Our working groups on sustainable tourism are still learning - peek at a video that inspires under Commitment. Ultimately, our work must Improve Conditions for residents - scroll to the bottom to read more about that.
One thing is for sure - we can only grow a more equitable and sustainable community with intentional learning and doing. The Thrive board and staff are here for that!
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Warmly,
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Thrive is growing! Meet our team.
We began 2023 with a new team, dedicated to creating inclusive networks capable of building community-led solutions to the challenges we face.
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From left -
Francina Edmonds and Kristal Khyentse-Perez are Thrive's new dynamic duo, respectively serving landlords and tenants in developing successful partnerships. Both Francina and Kristal are realtors and understand the needs of landlords. They also bring deep knowledge of the ways in which groups have been marginalized by discriminatory practices and a passion to prevent ongoing harm. You may reach these two at francina@thriveasheville.org and kristal@thriveasheville.org.
Kelly Golden is Thrive's new Community Development Coordinator. Kelly facilitates communication among the many stakeholders we work with, and helps the community share in our learning. Kelly can be reached at kelly@thriveasheville.org.
Garrett Raczek joined our team to lead collective impact work as the Program Director. That means Garrett is designing the information, structures, and gatherings that help us work together better. This year, Garrett is developing a systems map of all the organizations and groups addressing housing, analyzing local affordable housing policy, and aligning nonprofit agencies with similar housing goals to work together. Contact Garrett at garrett@thriveasheville.org.
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A challenge too big for any one organization.
Thrive Asheville is leading a collaborative effort of six housing agencies to identify the most effective ways to encourage landlords to accept federal rental assistance. Federal rental assistance, also called vouchers or Section 8, are rental payments made directly to landlords on behalf of eligible households. Increasing acceptance of federal rental subsidies presents a huge win for our community, because it frees up other affordable housing resources.
Right now, if every eligible family could find housing using their rental assistance, our community would tap an additional $1.2 million in federal housing dollars this year. With our partners, Thrive is making it easier and more profitable for landlords to accept federal rental assistance, and supporting tenants so that they are more successful in these new housing opportunities.
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Thrive working groups learn about sustainable tourism.
The Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance is a great example of how sustainable tourism could work for our community. The Alliance provides an inspirational example of how one community applied innovative ideas to promote their destination to visitors while stewarding the lands, providing community support, and implementing alternative development strategies to support the region's tourism goals. Asheville is ripe with similar opportunities to support our residents and promote a thriving tourist economy.
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Working Together for Positive Outcomes
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Navigators Support the Success of Landlords & Tenants - A True Story
Recently, a long-time participant with Landlord-Tenant Partnership, Jim, reached out to our Landlord Navigator, Francina Edmonds, in frustration about his tenant. When Jim called, he was ready to evict Julie. Jim expressed that Julie wasn’t responding to his phone calls and had stopped paying her portion of the monthly rent. Francina communicated with the Thrive Tenant Navigator, Kristal Khentse-Perez, who went directly to the tenant’s home when she couldn’t reach her by phone.
Kristal learned that Julie had lost her mobile phone service. Julie had found a job but was unable to start working without a state-issued ID. Because Julie didn't have transportation, taking the necessary steps to obtain her identification was challenging, and she was at risk of losing her employment opportunity and her home. So, Kristal stepped in. She took Julie to the DMV, helped her navigate the process, and helped her take all of the necessary steps to start working. Julie was able to start working, reinstate her cell phone service, and pay the late rent. Julie and Jim were able to reconcile their challenges, and thanks to the collaborative and direct work of our LTP navigators, Julie and her son continue to thrive in their home.
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