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At its April 1 regular meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with local municipalities, updated the Affordable Housing Services Guidelines to meet new Helene-caused needs, and commemorated National Public Health Week and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Interlocal Agreements for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
County Commissioners approved entering interlocal agreements with the City of Asheville, Town of Black Mountain, and the Town of Weaverville to administer the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
This will allow the municipalities to acquire Hazard Mitigation Grant Properties within their municipal limits. If a municipality declines to accept an acquisition, Buncombe County retains the right to acquire the property.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is a federal program administered by N.C. Emergency Management in partnership with Buncombe County. It offers no-cost home projects to property owners who experienced flood damage during Helene. The program reduces hazards and risks, including the acquisition of damaged residential and commercial properties after disasters at pre-disaster valuations.
This interlocal agreement creates no long-term or financial obligation between Buncombe County and the municipalities.
Click here to read the resolution.
Changes to the Affordable Housing Services Program Guidelines
The Board approved changes to the Affordable Housing Services Program guidelines so additional funding is available for Helene-related emergency home repairs.
Changes include:
- Increasing the maximum assistance from $25,000 to $50,000.
- Establishing a lien requirement where the repair is funded at or above $15,000, which will reduce by $30,000 in year 1 and $10,000 in year 2 and 3.
The Affordable Housing Services Program provides funding directly to nonprofit partners who requested these guideline changes.
Documentation requirements were also added to the program, which include Helene damage cost estimates as well as documents showing private, public, state, and federal funding related to the repairs. These changes will help address new needs in emergency home repairs created by Tropical Storm Helene.
Click here for more information.
Recognizing Public Health and Child Abuse Prevention
Commissioners approved a proclamation celebrating the 30th annual National Public Health Week on April 7-13. In part, the proclamation states “public health professionals help communities prevent, prepare for, withstand, and recover from the impact of a full range of health threats, ranging from infectious disease outbreaks to natural disaster preparedness.”
Commissioners also declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to connect families, communities, prevention advocates, and supporters and focus on hope and create a prevention ecosystem. “We are committed to advancing equitable, responsive, and effective systems that ensure al children and families are healthy and thriving,” the proclamation states.
The Board also:
- Approved a financing agreement with Pinnacle Bank of no more than $6 million to buy and upfit equipment and vehicles for solid waste, public safety, and general government purposes. Click here to learn more.
- Approved adding more members to the Affordable Housing Committee. This amendment changes the number of members from three to five. Click here to learn more.
The April 15 briefing and regular meeting have been cancelled; the next regular meeting will be held on May 6. To watch this or any Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting, go to www.facebook.com/buncombegov.