Issues

We must improve coordination between government, nonprofits, and volunteer groups so that when emergencies hit, our response is swift and effective. That means investing in resilient infrastructure, including community resilience hubs that can serve people quickly and safely when disaster strikes. Families shouldn’t have to fight through a maze of disconnected programs to get help. By supporting comprehensive case management and making smart use of available federal and state resources, we can not only build back, we can come back stronger, more connected, and better prepared for what’s next.

Let’s address the root causes of housing instability, like mental health challenges, addiction, and financial hardship, by partnering with nonprofits, healthcare providers, and local businesses. Preventing homelessness means intervening early and supporting people before they reach a crisis point. At the same time, we have to increase access to affordable rental housing and create more pathways to homeownership for working families. That includes making it easier and faster to build housing by modernizing our permitting and licensing systems, so they’re clear, efficient, and focused on solutions.

We can plan for growth in a way that protects what makes Buncombe County special—our mountains, rivers, forests, and farmland. That means finding the right balance between development and environmental stewardship. We should be investing in green infrastructure and renewable energy projects that keep our communities healthy and our energy bills down. And we can all take pride in building walkable, connected neighborhoods that reduce traffic and pollution, and make it easier for people to live near work, school, and daily essentials.

Raising a family shouldn’t be this hard. We must expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare so parents can work knowing their kids are safe and supported. That also means investing in our public schools by making sure teachers have what they need in the classroom and every student has a real chance to succeed. Families deserve more than just the basics. Let’s make sure they have access to healthy food, affordable healthcare, safe parks, walkable neighborhoods, and the kind of community support that helps everyone thrive.

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own neighborhood. That means addressing addiction as a public health issue by expanding support for drug treatment courts and recovery programs—not just locking people up and hoping for the best. It means investing in mental health crisis response teams so people in crisis get care, not jail. And it means making sure every neighbor, including our immigrant families, feels welcome and protected. We need to foster trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and stand firmly against discrimination, intimidation, and fear-based policies that divide us.