Proposal could be game-changer for affordable housing in Haywood

Ambitious proposal could be game-changer for affordable housing in Haywood

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS EDITOR

Haywood County was recently awarded another substantial grant to help address the affordable housing crisis, but the way the county plans to use the grant means its impact will be felt far into the future.

“After 20-plus years of talking about affordable housing, I feel like we’ve won the lottery with all the resources that’s coming into the county,” said Patsy Davis, executive director of Mountain Projects.

Last spring, an affordable housing grant opportunity was announced by Dogwood Health Trust, a nonprofit that administers the proceeds from the Mission Hospital sale on behalf of 18 western counties.

In 2021, Dogwood released the results of a housing needs assessment, which showed Haywood County with a deficit of 1,459 homes. Coincidentally, data from the Haywood TDA from July of this year documents a total of 1,648 whole-house shortterm rentals available on websites like Airbnb.

In April, a meeting took place between housing providers like Mountain Projects, Pathways, Habitat for Humanity and the Waynesville Housing Authority and all five local governments.

Funders, including Dogwood, the Southwestern Commission’s HOME program and the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, were also in attendance.

“It was the first time that we’d had, in my tenure here, a summit where we had all the people in the room to discuss our affordable housing needs,” said David Francis, community and economic development director. “From that came ideas [on] how we pursued this grant for the county to be able to use American Rescue Plan funds for the grant.”

The grant award totals $1,112,500, which will be matched by the county from American Rescue Plan Act funds. The Town of Maggie Valley will also chip in $112,500, for a total of $2,225,000.

Of that, $375,000 will be used to pave the roads at Bethel Village, a subdivision in

Jonathan Creek owned by Mountain Projects. Paving the roads would open up opportunities for USDA loans, which offer generous terms. Another $334,000 will go to Pathways for the development of transitional housing for individuals and families. f “That means that we’ll be able to provide temporary residence for up to 24 months for a family, two men and two women,” said Mandy Haithcox, executive director of Pathways. “That will continue to include continued intensive case management and wraparound services to be able to help these folks further stabilize their lives.” Commission Chair Kevin Ensley thanked Davis and Haithcox for their work on the affordable housing issue. “If people saw how the county was without Pathways, I think they would be shocked,” he said. “You all have helped hundreds of people get into housing. Literally f hundreds of people.” The remaining $1,515,602 will be dedicated to a more permanent resource that will make it easier for nonprofits and local governments to address the affordable housing crisis in the future. “When we were discussing this matter,” Francis continued, “one of the things I didn’t want to see happen is we have funding that comes through here and then we turn around five years later going, ‘We don’t have any more funding.’” Francis went on to announce the creation of a revolving loan fund, presaged by a recent $200,000 donation to Mountain Projects for just such a purpose. The fund won’t engage in retail lending or be available to individuals. It will, however, make loans to qualified nonprofits like Mountain Projects, Pathways and Habitat for Humanity, as well as local governments and faith-based organizations. Francis said that right now, Habitat for Humanity can only build one or two houses a year, but with the availability of revolving fund loans, they might build as many as four or five a year. The Waynesville Housing Authority, Francis said, might also use the funds to develop more rental properties.

NCWorks hosts Manufacturing Day event

National Manufacturing Day is Oct. 7, and to celebrate NCWorks will be hosting its second annual Manufacturing Day event. The event will be held Friday, Oct. 7, at the NCWorks Career Center in Waynesville from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This event is a great opportunity for job seekers to speak with our local employers about their employment possibilities. Private offices inside the career center will be available for interviews, as well as computers to complete online applications. This event will take place in the parking lot, unless it rains. The Holy Cow food truck will arrive at 11 a.m. to serve food. Monetary donations to the food truck go to benefit Pathways. For more information call 828.456.6061 or email lisa.morris@commerce.nc.gov.

Ingles Nutrition Notes

written by Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS

Many local food banks and food pantries have been struggling to meet increased needs in our communities. While requests for assistance have increased, donations of food, money, and time (volunteers) are struggling to keep up.

Food Donation suggestions:

Non-perishable food items that can be used to make meals. (Pop-top cans are often better for individuals that are homeless or don’t have access to a can opener) • Canned proteins: beans, nut butters, chili with meat, canned chicken or beans • Canned fruits and vegetables • Meal “kits” that contain seasonings/sauces that beans or other proteins can be added to • Shelf stable (UHT) milk or plant-based dairy alternatives • Meal replacement bars • Cooking oils, sugar, cake and quick bread mixes, muffins mixes. Here are some additional items that might be welcome – be sure to check with your food pantry first!: • Instant coffee and tea bags • Can openers • Sanitizing hand wipes • Storage bags or containers

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN Ingles Market Corporate Dietitian @InglesDietitian Leah McGrath - Dietitian