Housing PSA
For emergency shelter, please visit the Shelter page
Legal Assistance / Renter’s Rights
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Temporary Housing
- FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance was originally authorized for 60 days, until Dec. 3, but has been extended until Dec. 12. This will allow households additional time to identify another housing solution or make repairs to their home. https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20241129/fema-extends-transitional-sheltering-assistance-program
- 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/
- If you are displaced and in need of temporary housing Restoration Church is working to place people. Fill out their form:
- Operation Anchor’s mission is to empower and uplift veterans, individuals struggling with addiction, survivors of disaster, and those at risk of human trafficking by providing free support, resources, and care. We are committed to rebuilding communities, restoring hope, and helping people reclaim their lives with dignity and purpose. Guided by compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and courage, we strive to create a sustainable and thriving environment where everyone can heal, grow, and contribute to a brighter future for all. Fill out their housing request with this form.
Legal Assistance / Renter’s Rights
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.
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.
Articles on Renter’s Rights
What to know about renters’ rights after Helene’s impacts: https://www.bpr.org/live-updates/live-blog-hurricane-helene-wnc#what-to-know-about-renters-rights-after-helenes-impacts
Tenant’s Rights After a Natural Disaster https://legalaidnc.org/resource/tenants-rights-evictions-repairs/
Petitions Against Eviction
Tell North Carolina State and County Governments: We demand an indefinite moratorium on all evictions for all affected NC counties.Stable housing is a human right, but even more so, it’s an integral part of public safety during this ongoing disaster. Working-class communities are already suffering the worst effects of this disaster; We need to ensure we have access to safe housing for the duration of this crisis and after. Sign the petition
Keep Asheville Here! Rent Support, TDA Funds, and Eviction Moratorium NOW!
Housing Financial Assistance
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/
The City of Asheville is partnering with Eblen Charities to provide rental assistance to those affected by Hurricane Helene. You can find the application forms and more information at https://www.eblencharities.org/programs/. Eblen has begun expanding their staff and volunteer base to handle the additional volume, and are processing 40-50 applications a day. Additionally, the City is working with Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church to support their efforts in providing rental assistance to community members. The City plans to provide $250,000 in city funds to make available for rental assistance for low income families in Asheville. It is anticipated this funding will assist over 110 families and enable them to remain in our community. Residents can apply for assistance by visiting Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 789 Merrimon Avenue between 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Sunday.
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. CampersRe Care Ministry started Cabins 4 Christ following Hurricane Helene. In an effort to provide temporary shelter to a number of individuals and families who were displaced by Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
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.
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.
Last updated: December 9, 2024, 9:37 pm