We, the undersigned, believe that Asheville can do better for its working families. Residents of Asheville need affordable housing, racial justice, true democracy, and living wages. It is time for the city to adopt a People's Budget that prioritizes these critical issues.

We believe the following priorities must be incorporated into the 2024-2025 budget as a necessary step toward creating an equitable Asheville where everyone can live and thrive.

1) Pay Asheville City Workers a Living Wage of at least $22.10/hr
2) Fund the Recommendations from the Asheville Reparations Commission
3) Start a City of Asheville Emergency Rental Assistance Program
4) Devote resources to start a Participatory Budgeting process

A Living Wage is the minimum a worker must earn to meet their basic necessities without public or private assistance. According to Just Economics, the Living Wage for residents of Asheville is $22.10/hr. Asheville must pay its workers a Living Wage to ensure they can live in the city they serve.

In 2020 Asheville City Council passed a resolution supporting community reparations for Black Asheville. Since then, the Reparations Commission has been studying the issue and will soon be making short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations to make progress toward repairing the damage caused by systemic public and private racism. We urge the Council to fund these recommendations.

Fair market rent in Asheville has increased 79% since 2019, resulting in one of the most expensive housing markets in the state. Low-wage service workers in particular are facing a housing crisis. Asheville must invest more into truly affordable housing so the workers who make this city run aren't priced out of living here. Creating an Emergency Rental Assistance Program is one action the city can take. We urge Asheville to look at Durham, NC as a model for providing Rental Assistance to its residents.

From Brazil to Canada and across the United States, communities have engaged in PB - Participatory Budgeting. This is a process where a portion of a public budget is set aside to be used in ways determined directly by the residents of that community. Durham and Greensboro have both enacted Participatory Budgeting and we think Asheville should follow their lead. We are asking the council to set aside funds to explore PB in our city.

By adopting a People's Budget that prioritizes affordable housing, racial justice, democracy, and living wages for city workers, we can begin addressing these pressing issues. We urge you - our elected officials - to consider these priorities when crafting this year's budget.

This petition was created by the Asheville People's Power Coalition, part of the statewide NC People's Power Agenda. Learn more at www.ncpeoplespower.org.

Initial Signatories:

Asheville Food and Beverage United
Asheville People’s Power Agenda Coalition
Asheville Poverty Initiative
Center for Participatory Change
DSA - Asheville steering committee
Just Economics
WNC GEMS LLC
Racial Justice Coalition
UNC-A YDSA