Two local nonprofits and the Macon County Housing Department have received a combined $145,000 to make home repairs for low-income homeowners.
The county housing department and Macon Program for Progress each received $50,000, and the Highlands Rotary Club received $45,000. Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation and Nantahala Health Foundation provided the grant funding for the Healthy Homes Initiative. Also receiving funding for the program were Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville ($100,000), Mountain Projects in Waynesville ($70,000), and Restoration House in Bryson City ($70,000). Dogwood Health Trust lent its support to the Healthy Homes Initiative by working closely with the Nantahala and Highlands Cashiers foundations and providing a total investment of $400,000 in grant funds to be administered equally by both local health foundations.
The Healthy Homes Initiative assists individuals at or below 60% of the area median income with home repair needs that directly impact their health and safety. In Macon County, the area median income is $57,500. Those with an income at or below $34,500 could qualify for the program. The funding is for homeowners and does not apply to rental properties.
MPP started the program in 2019 to help residents living on fixed incomes make home repairs that address needs such as handicap accessibility, fall prevention measures and mold remediation. “The type of issues that keep them from being safe and healthy in their own home,” said Charam Miller, community services director at MPP. “Many people don’t have the resources they need to repair porches, sinkholes in the floor, or to build handicap accessible ramps.”
Miller said they have completed 15-18 projects and with the additional funding she expects they can work on another 15-25 homes. “This funding is a huge blessing. We are constantly getting requests and know this is a big need in the county,” Miller said. “We are very excited to continue this program.”
Macon County has eight programs that help address housing deficiencies for low- and moderate-income families and elderly people, according to Housing Director John Fay.
The COVID pandemic presented some challenges for the department especially when it comes to delays in shipments and the rising cost of materials.
Fay said a heating and air unit averaged about $6,500 before the pandemic, but now they are running $10,000-$12,000. “So, you end up with an elderly person in a house without heat.” Many of the assistance programs cap how much can be spent on each home, but Fay said they can combine funds from different programs to help pay for needed items.
“Especially now with the price increases we are finding it very difficult to provide adequate services,” Fay said. “These funds coming along go perfectly with our Urgent Repair Program, although they are not restricted to use with that program.”
He estimates they will be able to serve 15 families with the Healthy Homes funding. “If it is something that can help the citizens of Macon County, we have our eyes and ears open looking for grants,” he said.
Last year, the county’s housing department helped about 50 families, which was a slow year because some people did not want workers coming into their homes due to the risk associated with COVID. Fay said they looked for projects where they could work outside the house.
In addition to general home repairs and accessibility for people with mobility issues, the department can also work on septic systems, plumbing and electrical repairs. Fay said the biggest need they see are services provided by the weatherization program.
“The bang for the buck is really super there,” he said. They have been able to save people as much as 30 percent on their power bill. “That frees up money for them to apply to medical needs, prescriptions and doctor visits. It is just a super program.”
How to get help
Macon Program for Progress
828-524-4471, ext. 306
MPP partners with Habitat for Humanity to do the bulk of their projects. They also work with other local organizations and businesses that can provide services that Habitat cannot do.
Miller said when they receive a request, the Habitat construction manager visits the house to do an initial assessment to determine the scope of the project and to identify if the family has other needs and if they are eligible for additional services.
“A lot are in need of food,” Miller said. “They also may need help getting caught up with utility payments or getting firewood for winter.”
Macon County Housing Department
828-369-2605
The county has a pre-application process that will help the housing department determine what program will best serve a person’s needs. Call to request an appointment for application assistance.
Once an application is submitted, the construction coordinator goes out to look at the house. “It’s a pretty detailed inspection,” Fay said. “He’s not just going out and looking for what the person has put on the application; he’s actually looking at their household situation. What are the true dynamics going on? Where can we help?”
Once a person qualifies, the housing staff will help the applicant fill out the necessary paperwork. Like MPP, the county housing department gets referrals from and works with other organizations such as the Department of Social Services, home health providers, and Habitat.
People with life-threatening needs take first priority as the department processes the applicants; next in line are those who are facing imminent displacement from their homes.
Highlands Rotary Club
Jerry Moore, 828-482-2032
Addressing housing needs is a new service project for the Highlands Rotary Club. “It was something we saw and thought we could make a difference,” said club member Jerry Moore. Some of the projects he anticipates helping with are roof repairs and replacement, heating and cooling and building wheelchair ramps.
Moore said they are working with other organizations, such as International Friendship Center and the Highlands Emergency Council, to get referrals. He hopes they can serve 8-10 families. “We are going to take it a step at a time and see how far we can stretch the grant money,” he said. “We will review the applications and assess who has the most critical need.”