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2024 Homeowner Grant Program Re-Opening
Applications for the 2024 Homeowner Grant Program have now reopened to give the community impacted by Hurricane Helene more time to complete and submit applications. The deadline was Sept. 30, but with the storm’s devastation, we want to make sure people have time to access these funds.
Applications are open through Nov. 15 and can be obtained at buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant or?by calling (828) 250-5500.?Phone support is available in any language.
Qualified homeowners will have an opportunity to receive financial assistance for housing-related costs like property tax bills, housing costs, mortgage, or homeowner’s insurance. Click here for more information.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Buncombe County residents are now eligible to apply for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This program aims to reduce or eliminate future damages and losses following a disaster by funding home projects that reduce the long-term risk and impacts of natural hazards, such as floods, wildfires, and storms.
Participation in the program is entirely voluntary.
Hazard Mitigation staff from North Carolina Emergency Management will be available this week in Buncombe County to assist property owners at the Asheville Mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Staff will be on-site to answer questions and accept applications. No appointment is necessary.
FEMA
In Buncombe County, FEMA has approved over $75 million to more than 51,000 households and individuals.
FEMA is also providing multiple temporary housing options to meet North Carolinians’ individual needs. As of this morning 1,600 households in Buncombe County are checked in to hotels and motels under the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.
Those who need to register for FEMA assistance or have follow up questions on their application can visit the Disaster Recovery Center in Buncombe County at the Asheville Mall from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. This center is very accessible to bus routes and provides more parking.
In addition to fixed DRCs, mobile DRCs will continue to operate:
- Nov. 11-14: Swannanoa Fire Rescue - Bee Tree Fire Sub Station: 510 Bee Tree Rd., Swannanoa. Open: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Nov. 15-18: Buncombe County Sports Park (Parking Lot): 58 Apac Dr., Asheville. Open: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The timeline to apply for Individual Assistance has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025, for North Carolinians. Please visit one of the DRC locations, go online at disasterassistance.gov, or call 800-621-3362 to register with FEMA.
FEMA is hiring in Asheville, Durham, Hickory, and Raleigh to support the Helene recovery. Applications are being accepted online. To see open positions and apply, please visit usajobs.gov, type keywords “FEMA, Local Hire,” and enter the location as “North Carolina.”
Community Care Stations
The County’s Community Care Stations are open daily, including Monday, from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. with showers, laundry, and more. All Community Care Stations have ADA accessible showers and bathrooms. The locations are:
- At Home Store parking lot
- Big Lots/Innsbrook mall
- Buncombe County Sports Park
- Bethel United Methodist
- Fairview Ingles
- Swannanoa Ingles
- Owen Pool
- Morgan Hill Baptist Church
Water and Food Distribution
Water and meals ready to eat are available at distribution sites daily at:
- Sky Lanes Bowling Alley
- Black Mountain Ingles
- Swannanoa Ingles
- Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
- Pack Square Park
- Buncombe County Sports Park
- Fairview Ingles
Free Vaccines
The Buncombe County Public Health Mobile Team is out this week providing free vaccines. Their schedule for this week is:
- Tuesday and Friday – Noon-6 p.m. – Swannanoa Ingles Community Care Station and Tunnel Road Community Care Station
- Wednesday – 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Big Ivy Community Center
- Thursday – 2-5 p.m. at the Bounty & Soul market at the former BiLo in Black Mountain
Storm Debris
More than 140,000 cubic yards of debris has been collected in Buncombe County, not including the City of Asheville.
Crews continue to collect between 12,000 and 15,000 cubic yards per day.
It takes thousands of truck loads to gather 100,000 cubic yards, which means major truck traffic in these zones.
There are 41 trucks in operation in unincorporated areas of Buncombe County today and debris pickup is happening in the eastern portion of the County.
The County is actively working to start up a Helene Private Property Debris Removal and Demolition program alongside our federal partners at FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as the State of North Carolina.
Tetra Tech
Tetra Tech is an emergency management and disaster recovery services consulting firm. The company is working with Buncombe County to support recovery operations focused on:
- Community Navigators Assistance: navigators are individuals helping support the County’s efforts in helping residents walk through the recovery process. Staff will be at the Asheville Mall to provide assistance as well as out in the community.
- Private Property Debris Removal: A private property debris removal program for both commercial and residential properties is currently in the works. This will involve the opening of intake centers, traveling intake specialists, and an online application.
Tetra Tech is hiring locals in all kinds of roles including office and field work, visit tetratech.com/careers/.
Asheville Humane Society
Asheville Humane Society is currently operating two pet supply and food distribution sites at:
- Asheville Humane Society Animal Care Campus – 14 Forever Friend Lane in West Asheville.
- River Ridge Shopping Center – 800 Fairview Road behind Gabe’s in East Asheville.
Affordable pet care clinics are available at the Asheville Humane Society Animal Care Campus on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Appointments are encouraged and are released for scheduling each week. For more information on the services available or to schedule online, visit ashevillehumane.org/events.
To support the Asheville Humane Society, visit ashevillehumane.org/donate.
For additional information on the programs available at the Asheville Humane Society, our team can be reached by calling 828-761-2001.
Important Road Safety
We remind our community that the entire county is an active and dynamic environment with debris trucks, utility contractors, and continued road and safety hazards. Respect all barricades and road closure signs. DO NOT, under any circumstances, try to drive around barricades. Treat redlight outages as a four way stop. Plan extra time when traveling as many GPS systems still do not recognize closed roads. Be patient with debris trucks and utility workers as they do their important work.