It has been more than five months since Hurricane Helene devastated our communities on Friday, September 27, 2024. Since then, MHO has been working tirelessly to support our staff, residents, community, and partners. The path to recovery is long and challenging, with many uncertainties ahead. However, we assure you—our community—that we remain committed to keeping you informed with the latest updates, long-term recovery efforts, and available resources at MHO that help us all rebuild, recover, and heal together.
So far, MHO was able to receive an Emergency and Disaster Grant of $925,200 from the Dogwood Health Trust, which made an immediate and profound impact by providing direct financial assistance for rent and essential needs, supporting individuals and families experiencing housing instability due to Hurricane Helene. This grant was one component of a multi-organization request totaling $2 million for 5 organizations that provide affordable rental housing for 2,290 households in Buncombe County.
Since October, MHO has been able to:
- Create a simple application made available to all households to request further assistance. Currently, we have over $80k in requested assistance from over 80 residents. We continue to work with our property management partner, PPM, to ensure no one is left behind.
- Distribute $578,674 in total funds as direct renter financial relief, so far. We continue to explore avenues for future direct renter financial relief for those affected by Hurricane Helene. These funds inclue:
- $495,674 distributed to 1,135 households (1,754 total individuals) to waive one month of rent for all MHO residents in December 2024.
- $63,000 distributed to 21 displaced households to cover critical needs at the Glen Rock Hotel Apartments, located at 408 Depot Street. Each household received $3,000.
- An additional $20,000 distributed to 20 displaced households in moving costs for the Glen Rock Hotel Apartments. Each household received $1,000.
MHO was able to self-impose a 90-day eviction moratorium due to nonpayment of rent for all properties following Hurricane Helene.
MHO partnered with four other area nonprofits, including the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, Community Action Opportunities, Poder Emma, and the Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust, to form the Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair, or ARCHR. ARCHR seeks to address the disaster home repair needs of low-income Western North Carolina (WNC) homeowners impacted by Hurricane Helene through an established partnership to increase communication and collaboration among organizations to decrease the burden on low-income households seeking needed home repair and modification services.
Before the storm, the region estimated that 6,000 homes owned by low-income Buncombe and Madison households needed repair. Recovery in WNC will take years, and ARCHR is dedicated to long-term recovery. ARCHR organizations hope to serve an estimated 110 low-income households with disaster home repairs over two years. So far, MHO and ARCHR organizations have completed over 300 home inspections, with applications rolling in daily. MHO continues to work through existing funds and programs to provide repairs to those affected by Hurricane Helene.
Fortunately, the majority of MHO’s rental complexes suffered no flood damage, and the two properties reported to suffer damages in October, the residential floors of the Glen Rock Apartments and the River Glen Apartments, have made a full recovery with residents fully housed. Repair work is underway on an elevator serving the residences and ground-floor commercial spaces of Glen Rock Apartments to full occupancy. One property in the River Arts District continues to face recovery efforts:
Residences at Glen Rock Hotel, located at 408 Depot Street: This building suffered significant damage due to flooding over 10-12 ft. All local businesses on the first floor were flooded, but none of the 22 residential apartment units on the second and third floor suffered direct flood damage. Due to being submerged underwater for an extended time, the electrical and elevator service suffered catastrophic damage and must be replaced in its entirety. A general contractor has been hired to oversee the restoration of the building, including working with 5 of the local businesses who plan to return. Remediation efforts are calculated to take 6-8 months but could take longer, if necessary. Steps were taken to support residents during their necessary but disruptive temporary relocation, including assistance with moving and critical needs funding.
As MHO engages in long-term recovery efforts, let’s all continue to envision a more resilient region, with plentiful, well-located affordable housing resources. We are committed to supporting the communities of Western North Carolina as they rebuild and expand access to affordable housing during this critical time. Just as we have for the last 36 years of our organization’s history, we will be guided by our mission to build hope and dignity in the people we serve. Together, let’s continue to rebuild hope.
Please consider supporting MHO with a donation to our Hurricane Helene Housing Recovery Fund, our local fund that supports resident emergency assistance, rental assistance, essential home repair, and long-term housing recovery. Your support ensures recovery efforts across our communities. Thank you, all!
