Housing PSA

Housing Assistance

Free disaster-related legal counseling, assistance and referrals are available for eligible North Carolina homeowners and renters in disaster-designated counties as they recover from Helene. For legal assistance, call 1-866-219-5262 and dial 2657. The toll-free hotline is available 8:30a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

The Tzu Chi Foundation, a partner of the American Red Cross, is providing emergency financial assistance to households in Buncombe County that were destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Helene. Residents whose primary homes were impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply by November 8: https://tzuchi.us/hurricanes-relief-nc

Eblen Charities provides assistance to families in our community for housing (rent and mortgage), utilities, gasoline (to get to a medical appointment or job interview), education, medical needs, eyeglasses, holiday gifts, clothing and food. Use the link below for more information and to apply online. https://www.eblencharities.org/programs/

What to know about renters’ rights after Helene’s impacts Article

Know Your Rights: Renter Information – Pisgah Legal Housing Attorney David Bartholomew shared important information about the rights of renters with Blue Ridge Public Radio yesterday. If tenants are confused about their rights or suspect that a landlord may be taking illegal actions against them, Pisgah Legal Services can be contacted online@pisgahlegal.org or 828-253-0406.

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity expanded their repair services and added a Disaster Repair program. This new Disaster Repairs program supplements our traditional repair program, and is a partnership with other agencies through ARCHR (Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair). Low-income homeowners in Buncombe and Madison Counties with storm-related damage who are otherwise unable to afford repairs, can apply. In particular, the Disaster Repair program aims to help low-income homeowners who are uninsured and under-insured. Disaster related issues include trees, flood, roof, hazards, and access. Information can be found at ashevillehabitat.org or by calling 828-251-5702.

To sign up to receive a tiny home built by the Amish one can go to cabins4christ.org

Homeowner Grant Program

The Buncombe County Homeowner Grant program for Buncombe County residents will close this Friday. Applications can be obtained at buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant or by calling (828) 250-5500. Phone support is available in any language.

Qualified homeowners can receive financial assistance for housing-related costs such as property tax bills and other housing costs including mortgage, or homeowner’s insurance.

TEMPORARY HOUSING

Emergency and Temporary Housing for those Displaced by Hurricane Helene: https://www.emergencyrv.org/
AirBnB offering temporary Housing: https://news.airbnb.com/airbnb-org-offers-temporary-housing-to-people-impacted-by-hurricane-helene/
FEMA offers temporary housing: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/sheltering-housing-options
FEMA emergency hotel search: https://www.femaemergencyhotels.com/

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Buncombe County residents can receive funding to make their homes more resilient through home projects that reduce the long-term risk and impacts of natural hazards, such as floods, wildfires, and storms.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is FEMA-funded but is executed by the State and the County.

Through the program, there are three home or property projects including elevation, home mitigation reconstruction, and acquisition.

1. The elevation project raises the home as is, demolishes the old foundation, and builds a new foundation that raises the first floor approximately 2 feet above the 100-year flood elevation. In this project, the homeowner is provided temporary lodging while work is done on the home, nothing is moved out of the home.

2. The mitigation reconstruction project is used when it is determined a home cannot be raised due to the home’s instability. The program will move out all the household furnishings and store them, provide temporary lodging, demolish the old home, build a new foundation at 2 feet above 100-year flood elevation and build a new home on the foundation. These are contractor grade homes, no custom furnishings.

3. The acquisition project buys the property from the homeowner, at the value of the property the day prior to the disaster, once the homeowner relocates, the home is demolished, and the property remains as greenspace into perpetuity.

In all 3 of these projects, FEMA provides 75% of the cost and the state pays the 25% match, there is no cost to the homeowner.

The program does not have an income requirement and is intended to assist all of those impacted by the disaster.

Participation in the program is entirely voluntary. Applications can be made online and in-person. While in-person applications will be taken until Friday at 6 p.m., the program is ongoing, and applications can be filled out online.

To apply online, complete the 5-minute Grant Information Request and then follow instructions from a follow-up email.

To apply in-person, visit the Asheville Mall through this Friday (November 15, 2024) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Staff will be on-site to answer questions and accept applications. No appointment is necessary. Online applications will be open for a year.