Thu Jan 16 17:00:00 UTC 2025: ## BeLoved Asheville Expands Affordable Housing Initiative After Storm Devastation

**ASHEVILLE, NC** – In the wake of Tropical Storm Helene’s devastating impact on Western North Carolina, the nonprofit BeLoved Asheville has announced plans to build a new village of deeply affordable homes in Swannanoa. The organization purchased an 8-acre parcel for $1.6 million using community donations, aiming to address the region’s exacerbated housing crisis.

Helene, which struck in September, caused widespread damage, leaving thousands displaced and living in temporary housing. Buncombe County alone reported 9,234 damaged residential units, with statewide estimates exceeding 73,700. BeLoved Asheville has been actively assisting those affected, providing extended hotel stays, temporary tiny homes, and home repair services.

The new village, BeLoved Village Swannanoa, will be located at 947 Patton Cove Road, near areas severely impacted by the storm. Co-director Ponkho Bermejo stated the project is a response to the urgent need in the community, prioritizing residents from the hardest-hit areas. The land currently includes a 5,500-square-foot warehouse.

Unlike the organization’s initial project in East Asheville, which features twelve tiny homes currently awaiting final occupancy permits due to utility delays, the Swannanoa village will focus on larger, two-to-three-bedroom houses. The target residents will be those earning 30%-50% of the area median income.

While a precise timeline is yet to be determined, BeLoved Asheville aims to begin construction this spring. The project represents a significant expansion of their efforts, leveraging lessons learned from the East Asheville village and the extensive volunteer network established in the aftermath of the storm. The organization emphasizes the importance of providing hope and immediate relief to the community grappling with the ongoing effects of the storm.

Read More