Happening Now

This project page is being developed to track and report on the work of the four Helene Recovery Boards. More content will be added in the coming weeks. We hope you will subscribe to receive regular updates. Additionally,

• Scopes have been developed for each of the Helene Recovery Boards (see below).

• Advisory Boards are identifying which members will serve on the Recovery Boards.

• At-large Recovery Board positions are being advertised. Please note that if you are appointed to a Helene Recovery Board, you will be required to attend an organizational meeting for the 4 recovery boards on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Banquet Hall of Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, located at 87 Haywood Street, Asheville. 

• Open seats for existing advisory boards are being advertised with the intention that each Advisory Board will be fully staffed when given an assignment.

Community members interested in serving are encouraged to apply online here. 

Housing

The Housing Recovery Board: 

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that advance post-disaster housing stability efforts.

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that support temporary and permanent housing solutions for displaced residents.

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that support the development of strategies to proactively address future displacement events. 

• Supports City Council by helping residents navigate post-disaster housing challenges by communicating resources and funding opportunities through each member’s respective networks. 

Advisory Board Membership Appointments: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Asheville Downtown Commission, Human Relations Commission, Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Noise Advisory Board

Economy

The Economy Recovery Board:

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that promote post-disaster economic recovery such as rebuilding and revitalizing the local economy. 

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that expand local economic resilience and diversification.

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that emphasize land management best practices and the strategic use of both city-owned and newly acquired land to promote placemaking, community vitality, and sustainable long-term growth.

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that support workforce development programs that build workforce capacity and enhance the local economy by creating a sustainable economic base.

• Supports City Council by providing input on ways to expand the city’s contractor pool to improve capacity for recovery and future resilience projects.

• Supports City Council by providing input on ways to strengthen outreach to businesses and support for small and underrepresented businesses.

• Supports City Council by helping businesses navigate post-disaster recovery challenges, communicating needed resources and funding opportunities for rebuilding through each member’s respective networks.

Advisory Board Membership Appointments: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, African American Heritage Commission, Asheville Downtown Commission, Asheville-Buncombe Riverfront Commission, Community Entertainment Facilities Commission, Public Art & Cultural Commission, Noise Advisory Board

People & Environment

The People & Environment Recovery Board:

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that strengthen the city’s ability to prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters.

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that support environmental sustainability and recognize the impact and role of Asheville’s natural resources in recovery.

• Supports City Council by consulting existing resources and tools to include known climate vulnerability considerations into policy and programming recommendations

• Provides input to City Council on ways to support neighborhood-level resilience and preparedness efforts that build community capacity to withstand future challenges.

• Supports City Council by providing input on ways to support residents recovering from disaster impacts while strengthening long-term community resilience.

• Supports City Council by helping residents feel informed, engaged, and connected to recovery resources through each member's respective networks.

Advisory Board Membership Appointments: African-American Heritage Commission, Human Relations Commission, Multimodal Transportation Commission, Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Sustainability Advisory Committee, Urban Forestry Commission

Infrastructure

The Infrastructure Recovery Board:

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that promote the strategic rebuild of damaged infrastructure with a focus on long-term resilience.

• Provides input to City Council on policy recommendations that improve water system resilience, flood management, and stormwater infrastructure to reduce future risks. 

• Provides input to City Council on recovery plans for the city’s parks, greenway and recreation infrastructure, prioritizing identified large projects while also providing input on long-term resilience measures and park enhancements.

• Supports City Council by leveraging potential partnerships and funding programs that promote resilient and sustainable infrastructure investments through each member’s respective networks.

Advisory Board Membership Appointments: Asheville-Buncombe Riverfront Commission, Community Entertainment Facilities Commission, Multimodal Transportation Commission, Public Art & Cultural Commission, Sustainability Advisory Committee, Urban Forestry Commission

Background

At the August 26, 2025, City Council meeting, Council voted to create four temporary recovery boards. Each recovery board will focus on one of City Council’s four strategic priorities of people and environment, housing, infrastructure, and economy. 

In addition to a diverse group of stakeholders, each of City Council’s 13 advisory boards will be represented on the Recovery Boards. The thirteen advisory boards currently in place will meet on an assignment-based work schedule through June 30, 2027. 

This temporary framework seeks to:

• leverage advisory boards and commissions towards a full and robust recovery

• ensure alignment between the work of the boards and commissions and the City Council’s priorities and organizational workplan