Strong partnerships, volunteers, labor and innovative ideas were funded to address immediate and long-term housing issues. Rebuilding efforts continue, and recovery will take years.
The grants supported:
Housing quickly became one of the region’s most important challenges following the storm as people and communities begin to navigate short and long term recovery. Recovery encompasses transitional needs - how people find stable places to live now - and longer-term considerations about housing repairs, construction, and affordability. A pre-existing housing shortage was exacerbated by the storm's impact on housing stock and infrastructure as Helene destroyed or damaged more than 100,000 homes, leaving thousands without shelter and increasing demand for limited rental units.
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity received $1 million to hire additional staff, increase assessment capacity and cover construction expenses in support of the Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair as it addresses the disaster home repair needs of low-income homeowners in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Photo courtesy of AAHH
The Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders was awarded $850,000 for site development costs associated with developing a 10-acre tract of land for 56 new, affordable homes within the town limits of Black Mountain under a community land trust model, ensuring permanent affordability. Priority ownership for these homes will be low-income homeowners and renters whose previous homesites are not viable for rebuilding post Helene. Photo courtesy of CFWNC
Baptists on Mission was awarded $25,000 for supplies for urgent repairs and $1.5 million to support operating sites to mobilize up to 600 volunteers a day to repair or rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Helene in Buncombe, Henderson, Mitchell, Yancey, and Haywood counties. Outside groups with experience in responding to disasters have played an important role in helping WNC in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Baptists on Mission has experience, a system and a deep network of volunteers that can deliver meaningful results. View videos about Baptists on Mission's Work in WNC. Photo courtesy of Baptists on Mission
Transylvania Habitat for Humanity made significant progress in restoring safe and livable housing for families impacted by Hurricane Helene. A $50,000 grant allowed it to address urgent health and safety issues through critical repairs and services that directly improved living conditions for vulnerable households. Habitat also completed 13 elevation certificates for mobile homes located in the flood zone, which are are essential for determining eligibility for future mitigation assistance, insurance options, and for long-term planning and resilience building. Photo courtesy of Transylvania Habitat for Humanity
"Your generosity has been instrumental, enabling us to be responsive in all parts of our mission. With your support we expanded our Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, grew critical staff resources, attended to urgent repairs of clients already in our queue pre-storm, and stayed the course of our Affordable Replacement Housing Program by replacing two more homes - while also meeting the critical and evolving needs of those affected by the hurricane. Your funding has positioned CHC to be nimble and creative in leading the way as a Long Term Disaster Recovery Group forms in Madison County." Community Housing Coalition of Madison County
