Helping those still struggling
To the Editor:
Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene, Western North Carolina is still in the thick of a housing crisis. Families who once had steady jobs are now living paycheck to paycheck, one unexpected setback away from losing their homes.
At the Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS® (LOTSAR), we know housing is more than a roof and four walls — it’s the foundation of a community. That’s why we stepped in after the storm, helping neighbors secure more than $1.2 million in recovery funds, sharing critical rebuilding resources, partnering with a local developer to provide temporary cottages, and more.
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church has been another lifeline for our community, distributing more than $5.5 million in rent, mortgage and utility assistance to over 2,500 people since the storm. This support has reached families all across Western North Carolina, including those in hard-hit Haywood County. But long-term recovery takes more than emergency relief. That’s why LOTSAR teamed up with Grace Covenant to launch the Grace in Action Fund, a new initiative that provides ongoing rent, mortgage and utility assistance to families still struggling.
The need is undeniable. When the fund launched on July 22, 110 people arrived at Grace Covenant Church in search of help. By the end of that day, the church had provided $67,000 in housing support.
Among those helped by the church is Micah Hayes, a father and veteran from Asheville. When an unexpected car repair pushed his finances to the breaking point, Grace Covenant’s support kept him from losing his home. “I could have easily foreclosed on my mortgage or just given up,” he said.
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Your donation to the Grace in Action Fund helps neighbors like Micah hold on to safe, stable housing. Visit lotsar.org/grace to rebuild hope for WNC.
Bonnie Gilbert
Member of the Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS®
Barnardsville
