By Kelly Doty
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — In News 13’s candidate Q&A, Mayor Esther Manheimer says the best long-term answer to homelessness is stopping it before it starts, pointing to the $6 million prevention program she helped secure. She favors shelter, services and a mental-health response over criminalizing poverty.
On public safety, she highlighted the Asheville Fire Department’s REST team, police recruitment and training, and the city’s decision to end its Flock camera contract, and pledged more youth programs and a stronger police presence to address gun violence. Her top priorities: protecting Helene recovery funding and expanding affordable housing.
“Safe neighborhoods take police, prevention, and all of us,” Manheimer said.
READ MORE AT WLOS:
https://wlos.com/news/election/asheville-mayor-esther-manheimer-2026-candidate-questions-homelessness-public-safety
