From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. —The Housing Authority of the City of Asheville announced on June 25 that it is reducing its workforce by more than  50 percent — from 112 to fewer than 50 employees — by the end of 2027. 

This drastic restructuring follows an agency review revealing an unsustainable financial trajectory, with HACA having depleted about 75 percent of its financial reserves over a two-year span, culminating in an overall $9 million shortfall.

To stabilize its budget and refocus solely on its core mission of developing and providing affordable housing, the agency is changing its operational model as follows:

• Outsourcing: HACA is outsourcing specialized services, such as maintenance and human resources, to community partners.

• Prior layoffs: These upcoming staffing reductions build on a prior reduction in force from April 2026, where the agency cut 34 positions and transitioned its youth after-school and summer programs to third-party providers.

• Leadership response: Under Chief Executive Officer Ella Santos, the agency maintains that restructuring is necessary to be good stewards of public funds and restore cash reserves. Advocates, such as the Asheville Area Tenants Union, have criticized the plan, expressing concern that staff cuts could negatively impact living conditions at housing authority properties. 

Because the restructuring will take place over the next 18 months, the housing agency does not yet have a final breakdown of every position that will be affected.

Staffing decisions will continue to be made as operational needs are evaluated and responsibilities shift under the new model. 

Santos, the housing authority’s CEO, started her job in Asheville on Nov. 3. 

A native of the Bronx borough of New York City, Santos moved to Asheville in June 2025 to run the agency. 

According to the housing authority, she makes $195,000 a year.