Funding provided by the Truist Foundation Western North Carolina Recovery and Resiliency Fund at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Mountain Housing Opportunities is pleased to announce a $1,000,000 grant from the Truist Foundation Western North Carolina Recovery and Resiliency Fund at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP). The grant supports MHO’s multifaceted efforts to repair and rebuild our region’s damaged and destroyed housing stock, foster resilience among vulnerable homeowners and renters affected by Tropical Storm Helene, and sustain the organizational capacity needed for long-term disaster recovery. The funds will support construction of new homes in Black Mountain, essential home repairs to address storm damage, rehabilitation of MHO’s affordable mixed-use properties in the River Arts District, and service navigation for disaster-impacted residents of MHO’s affordable rental communities.
“This funding is a tremendous boost for our work and the communities we serve,” said Geoffrey Barton, President/CEO of Mountain Housing Opportunities. “We are grateful to the Truist Foundation and CDP for investing in a more stable, equitable, and resilient future for Western North Carolina following Tropical Storm Helene. The need for affordable housing has never been greater in the communities we serve—this grant will help us meet that challenge head-on across all MHO programs.”
The Truist Foundation partnered with CDP to establish the Truist Foundation Western North Carolina Recovery and Resiliency Fund, supporting communities recovering from recent disasters and building long-term resilience. The fund focuses on strengthening housing and small businesses across the region by addressing medium- and long-term needs. Grantmaking will be guided by assessments of damage, systemic marginalization, community capacity, and unmet needs, ensuring an equitable and effective recovery. MHO is honored to be among the regional organizations selected to receive support for this initiative.
“Meeting unmet housing needs in communities across Western North Carolina is crucial for long-term recovery,” said Christine Laporte, program manager for the Truist Foundation Western NC Recovery and Resilience Fund at CDP. “CDP is proud to collaborate with Truist Foundation to support MHO’s housing recovery efforts and ensure those most affected by Helene have access to vital resources.”
“Truist Foundation is proud to support Mountain Housing Opportunities’ efforts to address the critical housing needs in our community following Tropical Storm Helene,” said Aaron Slate, Truist’s Asheville market president.“This investment is an example of the power of community partnerships and evidence of our long-term commitment to the region and its recovery.”
With this funding, Mountain Housing Opportunities will accelerate its mission to build and improve homes, neighborhoods, and lives for people across Western North Carolina. By investing in both immediate recovery and long-term resilience, this grant ensures that MHO can continue to respond to the region’s evolving needs, creating more pathways to safe, stable, and affordable housing.. MHO will host a groundbreaking ceremony at the Black Mountain homeownership site on Thursday, June 12th, in conjunction with NeighborWorks Week, a celebration that highlights the collective impact of the network that shares in the mission to create opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, build financial stability, and strengthen communities.