Affordable Housing on the Rise in Buncombe County: Habitat for Humanity
Kay Smith | February 21, 2024
Habitat for Humanity housing is on the rise in Buncombe County, and Warren Wilson College (WWC) faculty and students are directly involved in the progress. On Feb. 10, professor of social work Lucy Lawrence’s Intro to Social Work class participated in a Habitat build. Students arrived bright and early for the project and were eager to contribute to the cause.
Asheville area Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1983. It was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Through many different programs, Habitat has successfully aided more than 2,100 adults and children in Buncombe County. The process of getting a Habitat home includes an application that will detail if you need safe housing, have low to moderate income and can pay an affordable mortgage.
Lawrence said that the work done by Habitat is not only effective but intentional.
“The Habitat lending model works long term and it is successful in paying off loans,” Lawrence said. “On top of that, the volunteer model gets all different types of people involved. It is extremely inclusive.”
Once you arrive at the work site, you are greeted with warm smiles and a friendly face. Supervisors lead multiple house builds. Each has a focus, whether it is painting, putting up firewalls, building porches or something else.
A woman named Jessie Israel led the paint crew. Israel has worked with Habitat for almost two years. She explained that the organization aims to “provide a place to call home and an affordable mortgage that will enable Habitat homeowners to save more, invest in their education, pursue opportunities and have greater financial stability.”
Israel loves what she does.
“There is a job for everyone. I learn new skills every single day,” Israel said. “Sometimes I have no idea what I’m doing, but everyone I work with is more than willing to lend a helping hand.”
As Lawrence mentioned earlier, the volunteer model established by Habitat promises that any kind of accommodations can be made because they see the value of everyone’s participation.
Habitat makes home loans for homeowners and the rates are much better than the bank's interest rates. Not only does Habitat provide services of home building, but also home lending. This offers opportunities to those who might not be able to get a loan through the bank. Future Habitat homeowners have to put in sweat equity, which means that the homeowners must work on a Habitat home.
Shanae, a future homeowner, completed some of their sweat equity hours. She worked on priming and painting the inside of two units. She was born and raised in Asheville and looks forward to having a Habitat home to call her own.
Overall, WWC students had a great experience working with many different volunteers from all over the city of Asheville. Anyone can sign up for a Habitat build. They work every day of the week and the shifts are seven hours. You get three breaks over the seven-hour shift and the breaks consist of great conversation and kind words.
Habitat for Humanity has made a substantial impact on communities worldwide. Due to the incessant need for affordable housing in America, Habitat was created in the pure interest of those in need. This organization empowers people and aims to provide them with stability and love.
In December 2021, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and Madison County Habitat for Humanity united themselves to enliven and strengthen Habitat for Humanity in the region. With the merging of the two locations, more families experienced the life-changing ability to own a home.
