News 13 Investigates: Asheville's mayoral race and easing the homeless crisis
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — There’s a growing homeless crisis among the 95,000 Asheville residents and the city's millions of visitors.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the city saw its greatest increase in years for those without permanent places to call home. City council is working on long-term plans to tackle the growing crisis.
With an election in November, voters will choose the person to lead council meetings and set the agenda. The person who is elected mayor is known as the ceremonial head of government, and the position comes with great influence. It also comes with a slightly higher salary than council members, approaching $25,000.
Mayor Esther Manheimer is seeking a third term in office. In the primary, she received 42.26% of the vote. First-term Council member Kim Roney received 33%.
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Through a public records request, it was discovered there are some differences between the two leaders when it comes to ideas on tackling homelessness.
“There’s a lot of disagreement in our community about what is the best approach. But, I think where we can get consensus is that housing needs to happen. People need to be sheltered,” Manheimer said.
Manheimer believes the best approach for the city is to continue to partner with service-based groups to work directly with the homeless.
“Typically, cities in North Carolina, just because of the way government is structured in North Carolina, they don’t own and operate shelters or housing. But, we fund those who provide housing and shelter,” Manheimer said.
Manheimer is focusing on permanent supporting housing, which are places with strict rules. Those facilities can have resources to help with jobs and addiction, to name a few. Like a facility in works with Homeward Bound and the plans for the Ramada Inn.
Opponent and first-term council member Roney believes the city can take a more aggressive approach now, as it looks for and funds long-term solutions.
“(I want) to meet people where they are. That may include congregate shelter. It will likely include the need for an emergency shelter or a low barrier/high access shelter,” Roney said.
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Those are facilities with fewer rules or barriers for accepting people inside.
“We dropped the ball on our first attempt at an emergency shelter because we were temporarily putting people in a hotel that was also operating as a hotel,” Roney said. “I will understand that neighbors may have some trepidation about do we try again. But through this RFP ( request for proposals) process, I think we can see where we are, what isn’t working, what we need to do and where we want to go."
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That process involves the city’s partnership with Dogwood Health Trust, which will pay for a consultant to help map out a plan.
Manheimer warns, don’t point the finger at one person or one city to repair the crisis.
“I would like to see solutions that are adopted by our state government or our federal government that allow folks to get the help they need, before they are in crisis themselves,” Manheimer said.
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The 2022 point-in-time count recorded 637 people experiencing homelessness in Asheville. The mayor has one reason the city may be seeing an increase. Cities typically have more resources than smaller towns or rural areas.
“Cities are usually hubs for resources. Not every small town in America has the capacity to provide that assistance,” Manheimer said.
After a public records request, News 13 Investigates obtained a year’s worth of more than 200 email messages about the homeless crisis. In January, a tourist threatened to never visit Asheville again. In March of last year, a business owner wrote he was screamed at and verbally attacked. Last October, a neighbor wrote he was also accosted.
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Roney has also expressed concerns over email. She said she is still waiting for changes.
“I would say what we are doing right now is not working,” Roney said.
Roney has expressed frustration with the way the city has shut down homeless camps. In those records, News 13 found options were discussed.
In April of last year, during the height of COVID, Roney asked if people could camp at the Civic Center in their vehicles. She admitted it was not likely an option for people without cars.
“If we move from unmanaged camping to managed camping, then we are providing those bathroom facilities, public safety opportunities, while we are building the housing and the shelter we need. Because that’s the end goal, right, for everyone to have a place to call home," Roney said.
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In January, records show, the mayor learned about a managed campsite in Denver. But it’s run by a non-profit. The mayor mentioned groups in Asheville don’t have the resources to manage a campsite.
The two candidates are not only focused on the homeless crisis. They have a platform that includes affordable housing and environmental issues.
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