General news about Mountain Projects

Community Action conference comes to WNC: The annual conference paid special homage to several regional leaders

This story appeared in the Smoky Mountain News. Link below this excerpt

True freedom isn’t attainable without economic freedom. This was the central theme of the 2024 North Carolina Community Action Association’s annual convention held at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino last week.

The event, which celebrated NCCAA’s 60th anniversary, was held over several days and included trainings, break-out sessions, various speakers, and of course, celebration.

Community Action was created on the heels of a March 1964 message to congress from President Lyndon Johnson during which he urged the body to pass his Economic Opportunity Act. Ultimately, the act created the Office of Economic Opportunity, including the creation of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to “strike poverty at its source — in the streets of our cities and on the farms of our countryside.”

While the event celebrated community action organizations around the state and was well attended by folks from the Charlotte area and the Triangle, Western North Carolina often took center stage, especially considering the group’s board president is Patsy Davis of Mountain Projects, an organization that serves Haywood and Jackson counties.

Read the story here

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Presbytery of Western North Carolina supports Mountain Projects and Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership

Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Mission Team of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina (PWNC), Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership (SMHP) will continue its mission of helping families achieve the American dream of homeownership.

As the affordable housing division of Mountain Projects, SMHP partners with nonprofits and finance entities to provide homeownership services such as credit evaluation, mortgage sources, down payment assistance, self-help housing, and turn-key homeownership opportunities. 

In 2023, the Mission Team of PWNC created an Affordable Housing Grant program that awards funding for the development of buildings, living spaces or properties. Nonprofit organizations who partner with a PWNC member congregation are eligible to apply for the grant.

Spearheaded by its Mission Team, First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville (PCUSA), a member of the PWNC, served as the partnership congregation for SMHP, allowing the organization to apply for the Affordable Housing Grant last year.

“Affordable housing is something that’s needed in Haywood County and all over the US,” said Melonie Gross, chair of the Mission Team at First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville. “Anything that helps support that only does good.”

The congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville generously funds their Mission Team with 10 percent of total church contributions as they carry out the church’s mission to “Love God and Love Our Neighbors.”

“We meet and determine which organizations we want to support during the year,” Gross said, noting that supporting affordable housing was on the list. “We are just happy to have facilitated getting this grant for the Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership.”

The Mission Team and its Pastor Holly Davis presented a check to SMHP and Mountain Projects on March 20 at Mountain Projects’ Bethel Village development in Jonathan Valley. 

Bethel Village is a self-help housing subdivision in which qualifying participants work within a small group of 4-6 families to help each other build their homes under the leadership of a construction supervisor.

“We got to tour one of the houses,” Gross said. “It’s a great starter home.” 

 The grant will be used to upgrade and secure the tools used for self-help housing projects.

“This grant will allow us to have a work trailer to be able to move from location to location,” said Patsy Davis, Mountain Projects Executive Director. “I want to say how encouraging it is to have faith-based efforts to preserve the American dream of homeownership. It’s hard to do that now without a lot of money and resources, so when we have that it really is inspiring.”

 Davis will be attending First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville on April 14 along with SMHP Construction Manager, Chris Stevens, to lead the discipleship hour at 9:15 am and talk about what SMHP is doing throughout the community.

 SMHP was one of eight non-profit organizations to receive an Affordable Housing Grant from the Mission Team of PWNC. To learn more about the PWNC, visit https://www.presbyterywnc.org/. 

 Monetary support and volunteers are always needed for SMHP. To learn how you can help, visit https://smokymountainhousing.org/.

 

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SMHP Housing Needs Survey Released

In order to make sure that our programming aligns with the needs of our community, we request your assistance in filling out the accompanied survey. The survey is designed to provide us with accurate information about housing conditions in our community and the housing situations of our residents. Survey information will be used to:

  • Help Mountain Projects staff develop a housing plan
  • Identify housing projects that will meet the needs of our community
  • Provide information to pursue funds for housing projects through state, federal, and private sources

Please complete the survey by 12/31/2023. The information you provide will be kept confidential and anonymous.
Your cooperation and assistance is greatly appreciated! Remember, this survey is important in identifying housing projects and funding for which Mountain Project’s clients may qualify!

 

Community Survey: https://forms.office.com/r/AJsXZ1bwmT

Employer Survey: https://forms.office.com/r/ACVKpAQDpp

Real Estate Survey: https://forms.office.com/r/D3cr4J0XwN

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Haywood County Community Blanket Drive through November

HAYWOOD COUNTY – For several years, the Waynesville Rotary Club has held a successful Blanket Drive before Christmas with the blankets and proceeds donated to Mountain Projects. In 2023, the Blanket Drive will be held throughout November.

Led by Waynesville Rotary and in collaboration with other Service Clubs, including Altrusa, Kiwanis, Lions Club Canton, Lions Club Clyde, and Haywood County and Sunrise Rotary Clubs, the service clubs generated more than 300 blankets in 2022. 

In 2023, the Rotary is inviting Haywood County banking institutions and credit unions to join the effort.  Mountain Credit Union, a bank that participated in the Drive last year, will participate again this holiday season. New participants include HomeTrust Bank, Waynesville and Clyde, United Community Bank, and WNC Community Credit Union.

There are three ways to participate and provide blankets to Mountain Projects:

(1) Blankets can be purchased and collected by the local Clubs/Institutions and then distributed to Mountain Projects by a representative of the organization.

(2) Blankets from individuals or groups can be delivered directly to Mountain Projects, 2177 Asheville Road, across the road from Junaluska Elementary School (In this instance, please let staff know the number and the source of the blanket(s).

(3) Blankets can be purchased on Amazon and shipped directly to Mountain Projects. Make sure the receipt includes “Blanket Drive” along with, the source of the blanket, whether a Service Club, Bank, Credit Union, or name or an individual. For example,                

Mountain Projects, Inc.
Blanket Drive — (Supporter/organization name)
2177 Asheville Road
Waynesville, North Carolina 28786

Cash donations for blanket purchases are welcomed by Mountain Projects. If you have any questions regarding business or organizational participation, please call Bill Allsbrook, Waynesville Rotary Club, at 828-734-4536.

 

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Local Partnership To Make Impact On Regional Housing Needs

JACKSON COUNTY – A local partnership is poised to make a large impact on regional housing needs by providing new options for Jackson County seniors, low-to-middle-income families and business professionals.

Webster Village, a partnership between Givens Communities, Western Carolina University and Mountain Projects of Sylva, plans to create approximately 211-237 new housing units in Jackson County near the Webster community.

The collaborative project was able to go forward because of financial contributions from Dogwood Health Trust.

“Our regional housing needs are greater than any one agency can address,” said Patsy Davis, executive director of Mountain Projects. “Dogwood Health Trust has provided an opportunity for us to come together and meet a big challenge. We have a powerful concept and the right partners to make this project a success.”

“Safe, stable and affordable housing is key for overall health and wellbeing,” said Dr. Susan Mims, CEO of Dogwood Health Trust. “Dogwood Health Trust is honored and excited to play a role in this creative work by committed partners who are collaborating to make Jackson County truly feel like ‘home’ for seniors, low-income families and members of the workforce.” 

Givens Estates will play a lead role in the component of the partnership focused on seniors. 

“Studies of the Jackson County housing market have shown a significant demand for low-cost retirement communities,” said Teresa Stephens, Vice President of Givens Affordable Communities. “Independent older adult can thrive by the Givens model of housing with supported services.”

Webster Village is a highly creative project, set to play a positive role in three very different sectors of housing.

“This is a great example of the cooperative approaches that are taking place across our region to tackle big issues like affordable housing to help seniors age in place and offer a place to live for the workforce serving them and the community,” said Mims.

Stephens agreed. “We believe that by introducing this approach to Jackson County, we will be able to address some of the county’s most pressing housing challenges,” she said.

“Our participation in this project further illustrates Western Carolina University’s commitment to the economic well-being of our region and the lack of available housing that for all income segments in Western North Carolina has become increasingly alarming,” said WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown.

Preliminary site plans are for three housing clusters that will serve a broad range of residents. They are as follows:

  • Givens Communities plans to develop 120 senior living apartment units.
  • Mountain Projects plans to develop 35 single-family homes for low-to-moderate-income families.
  • Western Carolina University, or its designated partner, will develop 50-85 multi-family apartments, to include 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, targeting adult working professionals and their families.

 WCU leadership is excited about the project and how it will help new professionals interested in locating in the region.

 “Together with our partners at Mountain Projects and Givens Communities, the Webster Village project will provide a central location for multi-income housing in Jackson County for senior citizens and valued members of the community’s workforce.” Brown said. “Our goal is to be part of a project that isn’t specific to only WCU faculty and staff, but one that provides opportunities for adult workers and families who are essential to the growth and sustainability of the region that we serve.”

 Patsy Davis, executive director of Mountain Projects of Sylva, agreed.

 “Each partner brings a unique perspective, and together we present a comprehensive approach with multi-income housing,” Davis said. “The demand for housing exists across all income levels and our approach addresses the housing needs of seniors, professionals and families who haven’t had the opportunity for home ownership.” 

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About Dogwood Health Trust
Dogwood Health Trust exists to dramatically improve the health and well-being of all people and communities in the 18 counties and Qualla Boundary of Western North Carolina. Working with the community, grantees, partners, researchers and scholars, Dogwood Health Trust collaborates to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all.

Dogwood makes investments that serve the immediate and long-term needs of Western North Carolina. Through the sharing of resources, which includes funding and other investments such as capacity building, convening and advocacy, Dogwood is engaging the regional community to work towards its purpose to dramatically improve the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of Western North Carolina.

About Givens Communities

Givens has provided a rich, meaningful retirement community living for more than 40 years. Givens Estates in Asheville began in 1979 with low-income apartments for seniors and grew into a Life Plan Community with a full continuum of care. In 2007, Givens Great Laurels, 100 affordable senior apartments, opened in Waynesville, and in 2012, Givens acquired Highland Farms, also a Life Plan Community, in Black Mountain. From 2016-2018 Givens developed Gerber Park in South Asheville to provide 262 additional low- and moderate-income apartment homes with supportive services. 

The Givens Board of Directors has maintained a strong commitment to serving older adults of all income levels and the organization is partnering with Dogwood Health Trust and local stakeholders to help address the need for more than 10,000 units throughout Western North Carolina. Visionary leadership, a culture of service and giving back, and maintaining our values all contribute to the organization’s achievements, the most important of which is our residents living fully and enjoying life.

About Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University’s main campus is located in Cullowhee, just over 50 miles west of Asheville. Our 600-acre mountain campus is surrounded by one of the most biodiverse regions in the state that provides students unparalleled learning and adventure opportunities. Named the #1 Outdoor Adventure School, our Cullowhee campus’ proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides research and discovery access for a wide variety of programs.

About Mountain Projects of Sylva

Mountain Projects is a community action agency, founded in 1965 with offices in Waynesville and Sylva. Our programs work to address the root causes of poverty and we administer programs that result in economic independence and self-sufficiency for our clients. Our programs include Head Start, Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership, Haywood Transit, Haywood Senior Resource Center, GetCovered WNC Affordable Insurance Counseling, Mountain Strong WNC Substance Misuse Prevention, and the Haywood Senior Resource Center. From housing to healthcare counseling and from Pre-K education to public transportation, Mountain Projects works to make Haywood and Jackson Counties better places to live.

 

Mp_webster_master_plan.jpg: Webster Village is planned for a parcel located on Cloverdale Road, off of Little Savannah Road, near its intersection with NC116.

 

 

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