Hello friends,
As we close out a busy 2025, I’m reflecting on the transformative power of home. When people in our region can access safe, stable, affordable housing, we all thrive. This truth held before Tropical Storm Helene, and it’s even more critical now as we work together to repair, rebuild, recover, and build our region’s resilient future.
2025 has been a transformative year as MHO has undertaken one of the most ambitious housing development efforts in our history. Personally, I’m grateful for our incredible staff and volunteer Board of Directors, whose steady leadership has carried us through an extraordinary and challenging year. I’m also thankful for the partners who make our work possible, people from our local government, businesses, faith communities, and nonprofits who continue to show up and work together to build opportunities for people to live affordably in this community. We have much tough work ahead, but together, we are helping create the foundation for a stronger, more resilient future for western North Carolina.
In August, we shared an updated 2025 Development Pipeline. Here are some of the highlights:
- Completed over 250 essential home repairs since Tropical Storm Helene.
- Completed over 250 essential home repairs since Tropical Storm Helene.
- Continued construction atStar Point, a 60-apartment community off Tunnel Road, and at Lakeshore Villas, a 120-apartment community in Arden. Anticipated completion in 2026.
- Financially closed on Balsam Edge, an 84-apartment community in Waynesville. We will break ground on this development in early 2026.
- Completed infrastructure work at Starlight Cove, a community of 60 affordable homes in Black Mountain. Construction of the first 20 homes is scheduled to begin in early 2026.
- Completed 20 down payment assistance loans for new homeowners in our region.
- Completed 6 homes at Spring Garden in Candler, a self-help homeownership community. All new homeowners have moved in! Cultivated a pipeline for future development, with over 400 new affordable apartments and60 new affordable homes across three well-located sites.
In addition to building and repairing more homes than ever before, this year, MHO launched a new Resident Services initiative to provide deeper support and connection for residents of MHO rental communities. We know that building or preserving an affordable home is just the beginning of the story. Real transformation takes root when people are able to stay in their homes and in their communities, healthy, stable, and thriving. We had the chance to share a few of these stories at our Building Hope event in the River Arts District in October, and we hope you’ll pass these stories on to your neighbors.
Jessie, a resident of an MHO rental community, shared it beautifully: “When people have their basic needs met and that foundational stability, they’re equipped to do something good for their community.” Your support helps make that possible by fueling MHO’s work to create, repair, and preserve affordable homes right here in western North Carolina. We hope you’ll consider supporting MHO as we head into 2026!
Together, we will continue to rebuild our community, guided by a vision of what is possible when we lift up the people and places that make it special. Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year!
With deep gratitude,
Geoffrey Barton, President & CEO
