In a city known for its beauty, food, and culture, many of Asheville’s residents struggle to make ends meet. The rent is too damn high, and the very people who make the city work can’t afford to live here.
For 20 years, Griffin Construction has been part of the solution. Founded in 2005, the company has grown from a small development firm into a trusted builder with four generations of local roots in Asheville. Today, Griffin is recognized not only for its high-quality projects but also for its dedication to affordable housing.
“Rising costs have pushed the very people who sustain Asheville—hotel housekeepers, restaurant staff, healthcare workers—further from the places they serve.”
Why Affordable Housing Matters to Griffin
In 2025, the living wage in Buncombe County is $23.15 per hour, which translates to about $48,000 per year for a single adult working full-time. Yet many of the city’s essential workers earn below that threshold. Add to this the fact that renters make up 40% more of Asheville’s population than the national average, and it’s clear the math doesn’t work. Median rent in Asheville is 14% higher than the U.S. average, and nearly half of all renters are considered cost-burdened.
Rising costs have pushed the very people who sustain Asheville—hotel housekeepers, restaurant staff, healthcare workers—further from the places they serve. Longer commutes. Higher utility bills. Fewer options for quality housing.
Lady Gloria Ridge Community, 343 West Haywood Street, Asheville, NC
“Most people don’t have a safety net,” Ward Griffin, Owner and President, says, reflecting on what the company learned during the Great Recession. That economic reckoning altered the trajectory of Griffin’s work, deepening its commitment to solutions that make a meaningful difference. One early effort, seven infill duplexes reserved for housing voucher holders, demonstrated the profound impact of a stable home.
Partnerships with organizations like Haywood Street Congregation, which embodies its motto “Community above all else,” further shaped Griffin’s understanding: housing is about more than a roof. It’s about dignity, proximity, and stability.
“Griffin layers municipal, county, state, and federal incentives to make deals pencil.”
The Real Challenges (And How We Navigate Them)
The Development Reality
Affordable housing is not a quick win. Griffin’s partnership project with Haywood Street has been in the making for eight years. Other efforts face slow permitting, once-a-year grant cycles, and a frustrating catch-22: you can’t access affordable housing funding until you’ve already built affordable housing.
Failure is a common occurrence with projects like these, but it has never stopped Griffin from continuing the work. “My failed projects are probably three times my successful ones,” Ward states.
Community Pushback
The NIMBY (not in my backyard) mindset is alive and well in Asheville. Residents often worry that property values will drop or that crime will increase. Griffin doesn’t dismiss these concerns.
“I try hard not to discredit those feelings,” Ward comments, especially when concerns center on property values. But stigma is a problem, and Griffin works to counter it with quality design and transparency. Good affordable housing doesn’t lower standards—it raises expectations.
“The most successful affordable housing project is one that you drive by and have no idea that it’s an affordable housing project,” Ward notes.
Financial Complexity
Building affordably takes financial flexibility. Griffin layers municipal, county, state, and federal incentives to make deals pencil. Without that support, finished units can’t be rented at an affordable price. Add in land prices, density debates, and rising construction costs, and it’s clear this work demands experience, strategy, and patience.
Every project has obstacles; Griffin’s transparent approach is what differentiates them from other builders.
Griffin’s Approach: Quality Without Compromise
“The most successful affordable housing project is one that you drive by and have no idea that it’s an affordable housing project,” Ward notes.
That philosophy is evident in every project Griffin undertakes. Energy-efficient design reduces monthly costs. Proximity to jobs and services removes commute hurdles. Thoughtful materials and finishes help dispel the stigma associated with affordable homes and neighborhoods.
Griffin’s current affordable housing projects include:
- A 126-unit development with 25% affordable units breaking ground in fall 2025
- A second multifamily project launched in summer 2025 with 50% affordability
- Ongoing partnerships with Haywood Street Community Development
“I’m no saint. I’m a for-profit guy…but this stuff is important,” Ward says.
Milestones from 20 Years
Over the past two decades, Griffin has helped develop nearly 100 affordable housing units. Another 120 units are in development or under construction, including a second Haywood Street project. The company recognizes it is foundational work that will lead to more opportunities in the future.
Along the way, Griffin has formed dozens of partnerships with community organizations and private developers who share its commitment to affordability. Each collaboration reinforces that affordable housing isn’t a solo effort. It requires persistence, transparency, and a shared vision.
“For many on the team, the chance to contribute to these projects was part of what drew them to Griffin in the first place.”
Stories That Keep Us Going
One early voucher tenant still stands out. When a mother and son moved into their new home, the child ran through the empty space shouting, “Is this really where we get to live?!”
Moments like that remind the Griffin team why this work matters.
Ask anyone at Griffin about the affordable housing work, and you’ll hear the same thing: it’s meaningful. For many on the team, the chance to contribute to these projects was part of what drew them to Griffin in the first place. That shared sense of mission strengthens the company as much as any individual building.
The Business Case for Affordable Housing
Returns on affordable projects are typically 10 to 15% lower than market rate, but can still offer very attractive returns if structured correctly. The key is knowing how to navigate the programs, timelines, and design challenges that come with affordability.
“The next decade is about sustainable growth without compromising principles.“
What makes Griffin unique is how the company shares this knowledge. Ward actively mentors other for-profit developers who want to get involved but don’t know where to start. Whether it’s site identification, assembling a design team, or financial modeling, Griffin helps build capacity across the community.
“Part of the long-term solution is getting for-profit developers more involved in affordability,” Ward explains. “There are a lot of people who have an interest but don’t know how to get involved.”
Looking Ahead
The next decade is about sustainable growth without compromising principles. Griffin aims to be increasingly intentional about project selection, to expand its role in affordable housing, and to create opportunities for team growth and development.
“Everybody wants to make more money,” Ward reflects, “but our drive is just as much about the types of projects we get to do and the opportunities they create for our team.”
This work is essential to Griffin, and it should matter to all of us who call Asheville home.
Join Us in Building the Next 20 Years for a Greater Asheville
Contact us to explore how we can partner on affordable housing solutions.