Construction is officially underway on The Bluffs at River Bend, a 96-unit affordable housing development set to bring much-needed workforce housing to the Woodfin area just north of downtown Asheville. The project, a partnership between local nonprofit developers and Buncombe County, will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments reserved for households earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income. Amenities will include on-site childcare, a community garden, and direct access to the Woodfin Greenway. Leasing is expected to open in late 2026, with priority given to families currently on local housing waitlists. Read on to learn how to qualify and what this means for Asheville’s growing housing needs.