2025 has been a transformative year as MHO has undertaken one of the most ambitious housing development efforts in our history. This was shaped by strong partnerships and meaningful progress for future resiliency and development! From breaking ground on new communities to expanded investment in affordable housing and our staff, each milestone shows the steady work happening across our region as we work to build and improve homes.
Here is the Top 10 from 2025!
1. Broke ground at Star Point, a new 60-apartment affordable rental community off Tunnel Road in Asheville, with 12 apartments set aside for young adults aging out of foster care. Additionally, MHO financially closed on Balsam Edge, an 84-apartment community in Waynesville.
2. Broke ground on Starlight Cove, a new homeownership community in Black Mountain, with infrastructure for all 60 affordable homes nearing completion. Construction of the first 20 Starlight Cove homes is set to begin in early 2026. MHO also completed the final 6 homes at Spring Garden in Candler, a self-help homeownership community. All new homeowners have moved in!
3. Celebrated the reopening of the Residences at the Glen Rock Hotel and revitalized commercial spaces at 372 & 408 Depot Street after extensive Tropical Storm Helene repairs, restoring 22 affordable apartments and supporting local businesses in the River Arts District.
4. Raised a record level of funding to support housing recovery across Western North Carolina, including $1M from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy/Truist Foundation, $500K from Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, two grants totaling $468K from the SOULSHINE Concert Fund, and a $250K grant from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.
5. Closed 20 loans through our Down Payment Assistance Loan Fund, providing over $395,000 in financing to help WNC locals purchase their own homes.
6. Expanded MHO’s capacity and expertise by welcoming 6 new team members – Tara, Arlene, Tim, Kimberly, James, and Steffie – and hosting two summer interns, Jake and Annabelle, while celebrating the contributions of Kelly Nossiter as she moved on to her next adventure!
7. Hosted a special RAD edition of BUILDING HOPE: An Evening for Affordable Housing at The Radical Hotel, bringing our community together to share stories of resilience and highlight how continued support is helping rebuild homes, strengthen neighborhoods, and advance long-term recovery one year after Tropical Storm Helene, raising more than $127,000 in support of affordable housing.
8. Released MHO’s first-ever Annual Report, highlighting the people, partnerships, and progress behind our work across Western North Carolina in 2024. From new affordable homes and rental groundbreakings to stories that reflect the real impact and momentum we’re building together.
9. MHO launched a new Resident Services initiative to provide deeper support and connection for residents of MHO rental communities! We look forward to sharing more information on this program in 2026.
10. Completed over 250 essential home repairs and cultivated a pipeline for future development, with over 400 new affordable apartments and 60 new affordable homes across three well-located sites.
Stay connected as we prepare for a busy and impactful 2026. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to keep up with new stories, projects in our development pipeline, and milestones along the way!
