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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GetCovered WNC/Milltown Health Care Initiative

PRESS RELEASE – July 21, 2023 / Media Contact: Patsy Davis, [email protected] or 828-492-4124

GetCovered WNC/Milltown Health Care Initiative – providing relief for premium costs and expert help on getting health insurance

Canton, N.C. – A program to assist those who have lost health insurance due to the closure of Pactiv Evergreen is well underway thanks to a joint effort between Mountain Projects, United Way of Haywood County, and Haywood County government.

Through funding support from Dogwood Health Trust, former mill workers, or those downsized in other businesses because of the Pactiv Evergreen closure, can receive assistance from Mountain Projects’ certified application counselors to help find healthcare coverage that’s right for them and their family members. Workers may also receive up to $500 per family member per month as reimbursement for health insurance premiums.

Jan Plummer from Mountain Projects has been leading the effort to let mill employees know of health insurance options. “We are seeing more and more folks coming through, now that the reality of the mill closure is setting in,” she said. “We are here to listen, answer questions, provide information, and walk everyone through health insurance options that are available to them. Having funding to assist with costly premiums is a huge relief to many who are facing the sticker shock of coverage costs.”
Certified Application Counselors at Mountain Projects are experienced in wading through the complexities of insurance options. United Way of Haywood County will disburse funds to assist with premium cost reimbursement. The reimbursements are non-taxable and are available to displaced workers for coverage costs that occur July 2023 through December 2023.

“We’re very pleased to have this program up and running quickly. There is an urgency to the help we want to provide because employer-sponsored insurance for most Pactiv Evergreen workers runs out at the end of July. We encourage everyone to explore their options and don’t delay the decision to stay covered,” said Celesa Willett, executive director of United Way of Haywood County. “A lapse in coverage can be financially devastating and discourages folks from seeking the care they might need for themselves or their families.”

For more information about the GetCovered WNC/Milltown Health Care Initiative visit:

Get Covered WNC – GetCoveredWNC or Losing Your Health Insurance And Don’t Know What To Do? Get Help NOW! | Mill Town Strong

Appointments can be scheduled online at https://calendly.com/mpinc between 8am -5pm, Monday – Thursday; Or workers can call Mountain Projects – 828-452-1447 to schedule an appointment by phone.

Online applications are available at MountainProjects.org.

For other inquiries, contact Celesa Willett, United Way of Haywood County by email [email protected] or by phone, 828-356-2832.

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Dislocated workers can get $500 per family member to help with insurance

By Vicki Hyatt, the Mountaineer

Thanks to a $1 million grant from Dogwood Health Trust, those without health insurance due to the Pactiv Evergreen mill closure have some stop-gap answers.

With the company insurance coverage paid for by Pactiv Evergreen through July 31 for workers who sign up under COBRA, those unable to find another job immediately or who have to wait until they are eligible for insurance at their new job can receive up to $500 per family member to defray the policy cost.

To read more, follow the following link: https://www.themountaineer.com/news/dislocated-workers-can-get-500-per-family-member-to-help-with-insurance/article_dbe218b0-0e1b-11ee-aa52-efcefe339c57.html

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Transitioning from Medicaid to Marketplace Coverage in 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2023

Mountain Projects
2177 Asheville Road
Waynesville, NC 28786

Press Contacts: Executive Director, Patsy Davis, [email protected], 828-452-1447
Program Manager, Jan Plummer, [email protected], 828-499-3222

Transitioning from Medicaid to Marketplace Coverage in 2023

The process of termination (unwinding) of Medicaid coverage for those enrolled in the program because of the Covid Public Health Emergency begins on April 1, 2023.

The Department of Health and Human Services began evaluating eligibility of enrolled recipients on February 1, reviewing household monthly income, age, employment status, and changes in family size. As a result, many people will discover they are no longer eligible for full Medicaid coverage. Consumers are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, or Healthcare.gov, where insurance plans are available. Most people can qualify for a plan that costs less than $10 a month.

If you need help, Mountain Projects has expert insurance counselors on staff to help create an account, navigate the application, and determine eligibility for tax credits, all at no charge. This program is called GetCoveredWNC. Appointments can be made by calling (828) 452-1447.

The “unwinding” of Medicaid will not happen all at once. NCDHHS has 14 months to complete the recertification process. There are an estimated 300,000 North Carolinians who could lose their Medicaid between March 31, 2023 and July 31, 2024. DSS workers will be referring consumers to organizations like Mountain Projects to check their eligibility for Marketplace plans on healthcare.gov.

Persons losing Medicaid will begin receiving notices as early as February and should contact Mountain Projects’ GetCoveredWNC counselors to create an account on Healthcare.gov in advance of April 1st, 2023 to avoid a lapse in coverage when their Medicaid ends.

A person who loses Medicaid may be eligible for $0 monthly premiums on the Health Insurance Marketplace. (MP) The MP cannot turn someone away because of preexisting conditions; and plans cover the majority of services that Medicaid covers.

The Mountain Projects team of Certified Application Counselors is available to screen and enroll consumers in all seven counties of Western NC and the Qualla Boundary throughout the unwinding phase.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

People who lose Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage any time between March 31, 2023 and July 31, 2024 will be eligible for a Marketplace SEP. After a person is deemed eligible for the Marketplace subsidies, they will have 60 days to choose a plan, and their coverage will start the first day of the month after they choose a plan.

This opportunity allows people who lose Medicaid or CHIP to get enrolled anytime between March 31, 2023 and July 31, 2024, no matter when their Medicaid ended.

The SEP is triggered when someone answers “yes” to the application questions asking if their Medicaid/CHIP coverage ended recently or will end soon. People will not be required to supply documentation to verify their loss of Medicaid/CHIP.

Contact Certified Application Counselors by County:

In Haywood County: Jane Harrison, Vicky Gribble and Jan Plummer, Coordinator: 828 452-1447 at Mountain Projects, Inc. 2177 Asheville Road Waynesville, NC 28786

In Jackson County: Marilyn Tollie (bilingual assistance in all counties) 828 550-3686; and Susan Rose: 828 476-9194 located at 154-B Medical Park Loop, Sylva, NC 28779

In Swain and Graham Counties: Linda Fitzsimmons: 828 550-7908

In Macon County: Cynthia Solesbee: 828-400-4177

In Clay and Cherokee Counties: Linda Curtis-Palmieri: 828 400-3149

Appointments are available in-person, by phone, or by video call.

GetCovered WNC, a program of Mountain Projects is supported by the Haywood Healthcare Foundation for Haywood County, The Dogwood Health Trust and The Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust.

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Mountain Projects Health Insurance Counselor Helps Save a Life

Brenda and James Porcello live in Charlotte, but have family in Waynesville. James had a recent medical crisis, and despite a clean health history it became obvious he needed a liver transplant, fast. His life was in danger. Unfortunately, the Porcello’s insurance policy was unacceptable to the hospital that would perform the transplant. 

Jacquie Buttles knew just who to call. She’s an Insurance Analyst for the state of North Carolina, and she had become involved in the case. 

“Jan Plummer at Mountain Projects and I have been program partners for a decade,” Jacquie said. “I thought we should talk this case through to see what options were available for this patient.”

With their many years of combined experience, the two knew both client processes and large agency needs, and they put their heads together to carve out a complicated path forward. It worked: in September, James had a liver transplant at one of the few hospitals in North Carolina that does such procedures, and he came through with flying colors.

The insurance Jan and Jacquie arranged covered the costs of surgery, medications and recovery, and James’s strong family support system was ready to help him fight for his life. 

Jan and Jacquie know the intricacies of health insurance, and sometimes they have the opportunity to help save a life. “This story makes my heart sing,” says Jan, “we counselors know this work is important, but don’t always have such an amazing story to tell.”

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MP Seeking to Replenish the Emergency Fund

 

Release date: December 3, 2022

Holiday Campaign to Replenish the Emergency Fund

WAYNESVILLE AND SYLVA – Through December, Mountain Projects is requesting community support to replenish its Emergency Fund. This fund assists vulnerable households with serious challenges like avoiding utility shut-off, making unexpected vehicle repairs and emergency shelter. The Emergency Fund is dedicated to supporting low-income households in Haywood and Jackson County who are ineligible for grant-funded programs. 

Executive Director Patsy Davis encourages the community to chip-in to protect our region’s most vulnerable. “Every contribution, every act of generosity is a blessing to a person in need,” she says. Mountain Projects receives an average of ten emergency requests per week. Davis said, “This week, we had a request from a family living out of their car. With emergency funds we were able to provide temporary housing while we find a longer term solution for their situation. The community helps us solve serious problems when they make donations.”

Founded in 1965, Mountain Projects was chartered as part of President Linden Johnson’s War on Poverty and currently serves more than 12,000 people each year. Ninety-seven percent of clients served by Mountain Projects are the working poor, disabled, elderly or handicapped. The organization employs 140 staff members and maintains offices in Sylva and Waynesville

As a Community Action Agency, Mountain Projects supports and implements programs designed to improve social, economic, educational, health, emotional and environmental aspects of life for families and individuals in the western mountain region. Those initiatives range from Head Start and food assistance to a variety of programs for senior citizens, and from public transportation to housing rehabilitation. 

For information and stories about Mountain Projects’ work in Haywood and Jackson Counties, visit MountainProjects.org and Mountain Projects’ Facebook page.

To donate, visit MountainProjects.org, call 828-452-1447 or send a contribution by mail to Mountain Projects, 2177 Asheville Road, Waynesville NC 28786.

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Service Clubs Announce a New Approach to the Annual Haywood County Blanket Drive


Release date: 11/17/2022
Phone: (828) 452-1447

HAYWOOD COUNTY – Mountain Projects and Waynesville Rotary Club paired for many years to coordinate a popular Christmas holiday blanket drive.

Then, In 2021, Mountain Projects Executive Director, Patsy Davis contacted Bill Allsbrook of Waynesville Rotary and asked if their blanket drive could be moved to early November due to the rising heating and utility costs. Mountain Projects was already taking calls for assistance and were anticipating more.

To meet the need quickly, the two contacted seven Haywood County Service Clubs: Altrusa, Kiwanis, two Lions Clubs and three Rotary Clubs, who enthusiastically signed on to help. Then, as word got out in the community, the general public contributed and the effort brought in over 300 blankets and significant cash donations to help local families with heating and utility bills.

The Annual Haywood County Blanket Drive has evolved out of this success and in addition to ongoing Service Club efforts, all Haywood County residents are invited to participate. “We hope the community will join in. With the temperatures starting to dip and a 28% projected increase in heating and utility costs, we will need more blankets,” says Allsbrook.

“With increasing costs of basic needs, like groceries, particularly for ‘fixed-income’ seniors, we appreciate the help,” says Executive Director Patsy Davis, “Many senior households can’t afford their heating bills and Head Start families also need a helping hand.” The Blanket Drive and Winter Warmth campaign will be a significant component of Mountain Projects’ winter relief efforts.

New blankets can be dropped off at the Mountain Projects Office, 2177 Asheville Road, Waynesville (the old public health building roughly across the street from Junaluska Middle School) or online purchases can be shipped directly to the agency through December 23, 2022.

Mountain Projects

“Blanket Drive”

2177 Asheville Road

Waynesville, North Carolina 28786

Financial contributions towards winter heating bills can be made online at MountainProjects.org/giving or checks can be sent by mail. Please annotate checks with “Winter Warmth.”

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Inflation Reduction Act is good news for ACA Marketplace Health Insurance Consumers

New policies deliver lower prices for healthcare

The recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act is good news for senior citizens on Medicare and for consumers enrolled in Affordable Care Act health insurance through the Marketplace.

For people who have their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, the lower premium rates that were implemented during the COVID emergency will continue through 2025.  The new 100% – 150% Special Enrollment Period will also continue.  If you have never checked out your out of pocket costs for good health insurance through the Marketplace, now would be a good time to do so.  If you still need coverage for 2022, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that could get you coverage.

Beginning with the 2023 coverage year, seniors on Medicare can get vaccines with NO out of pocket costs to them.  Also the price of insulin is capped at $35/month beginning in 2023.  Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare Part D will have their out of pocket costs for their prescription drugs capped at $4000 or less per year in 2024 and at $2000 in 2025.  Knowing what the yearly maximum cost of your drugs will be extremely helpful for seniors on tight budgets.

Everyone who has Marketplace coverage, now and will need coverage in 2023, needs to renew their coverage during the upcoming Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment for the 2023 coverage year will start November 1, 2022 and be open through January 15, 2023.

There are free, experienced and certified, in-person coverage counselors available to help you understand the numerous health plans that are available. Coverage counselors can assist you with the application process.

Call 828-452-1447 for the name and number of a coverage counselor in your community. More information can be found at www.GetCoveredWNC.org.

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