Housing
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Section 8
Mountain Projects is proud to administer the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, a vital resource that helps low-income individuals and families afford safe, decent, and sanitary housing in the private market. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this program enables eligible participants to find their own housing—such as single-family homes, townhouses, or apartments—and receive rental assistance based on their income level.
The Section 8 Rental Assistance Payments Program is a Federal program designed to provide rental assistance for low income families.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, or national origin.
This program is aimed at families who are currently paying more than 30% of their adjusted gross monthly income for rent and utilities, and for those who need rental assistance in order to live in “safe, decent and sanitary” housing. Mountain Projects and the Federal Government have a special commitment to aid the homeless, low income, elderly, handicapped, disabled and large families.
Section 8 Locations
Program Contacts
828-452-1447
Information for Landlords
Property owners who are working with us or are interested in renting their properties through Section 8 will find more information here.
Rehabilitation & Weatherization
Safe, warm, and energy-efficient homes change lives. Our weatherization program provides energy audits, insulation, and critical repairs that lower utility bills and improve comfort. Specialized programs also fund urgent repairs and accessibility modifications for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
The Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program reduces the energy burden on low-income families by installing cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
Mountain Projects’ Weatherization technicians use computerized energy audits and advanced diagnostic technologies, such as blower doors and duct blasters, to determine the most cost-effective measures for each home. They also assess related health and safety conditions. After our crews provide services, families experience an average energy use reduction of 20 percent or more. This means that hundreds of dollars are put back in their pockets to buy groceries, visit a doctor, buy medicine, or improve some standard of living.
Serving as the nation’s core program for delivering energy efficiency services to low-income households, the Weatherization Assistance Program prioritizes service to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and households with children. The Weatherization Program serves every county in the nation through its network of state and local agencies. This program allows us to help families with income up to 200% of the poverty level.
Income Guidelines
Family Size 1: $24,980
Family Size 2: $33,820
Family Size 3: $42,660
Family Size 4: $51,500
Family Size 5: $60,340
Family Size 6: $69,180
Single Family Rehabilitation (SFR)
NC Housing Finance Agency provides the funding for this program. The goal of SFR is to make a long-term positive impact on the state’s stock of standard affordable housing by encouraging the comprehensive rehabilitation of existing, moderately-deteriorated, single-family, owner-occupied housing units occupied by lower income (less than 80% area median income) households with one or more elderly or disabled full-time household members or owner-occupied units with lead hazards and a child six years old or younger. All of the counties in the state are on a three year cycle for funding. This means that every three years, money becomes available for each county. Currently we have a grant for Jackson County and are taking applications for homes to be rehabilitated. We have submitted a grant request for Haywood County and hope to have those funds available in 2016.
Heating and Air Repair and Replacement Program (HARRP)
HARRP allows us to repair and replace heating systems that are not working. Income guidelines for this program are 150% of the poverty level and they are listed above. This program does not allow us to change your heating system fuel source. Example: If you have oil heat, we must put back oil heat.
Urgent Repair
NC Housing Finance Agency also provides funding for this program. The goals of the Urgent Repair Program are: 1) to alleviate housing conditions which pose an imminent threat to the life or safety of very low-income homeowners with special needs; and 2) to provide accessibility modifications and other repairs necessary to prevent the imminent displacement of very low-income homeowners with special accessibility needs, such as frail elderly and persons with disabilities. This program is for homeowners with incomes less than 50% of the median income.
Safe at Home
This program allows us to help clients that are 60 years old or older with repairs to their homes. The repairs are to be items that make the home safer; such as, ramps, grab bars, doors, etc. There are limited funds with this program and we cannot do large jobs such as roofs.
Rehabilitation & Weatherization Location
Our housing rehabilitation and weatherization programs serve Haywood and Jackson Counties, and are based out of our Main Office in Waynesville.
Program Contacts
Housing Rehabilitation Manager
Vivian Bumgarner
828-492-4107
Housing Rehabilitation Specialist
Vicky Ferguson
Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership (SMHP)
Homeownership is possible—even for families with modest incomes. Through the Self-Help Housing program, qualifying families work together to build their own homes, lowering costs and strengthening community in the process. 100% financing with no down payment is available for eligible participants.
Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership (SMHP) is the affordable housing division of Mountain Projects, Inc., a community action agency that has served the southern mountains of Western North Carolina since 1965. Mountain Projects has several long-running initiatives to assist homeowners in need, and Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership is the newest addition to its lineup of programs. SMHP generates affordable housing and home buying services and counseling for essential workers in Haywood and Jackson Counties.
SMHP understands the rising costs of home ownership in Western North Carolina. It is our promise to continue as a force in the effort to provide mountain residents with affordable, safe and clean places to call home. We have embarked on an ambitious drive to build affordable homes throughout the region including micro-homes and family dwellings.
“As many are aware, homeownership is becoming increasingly more challenging in WNC. Fortunately, the self-help program and the participants’ sweat equity make the dream more obtainable. This is a wonderful opportunity for our community, and being able to assist our clients on their path to homeownership is truly amazing.”
Program Locations
Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership serves Haywood and Jackson Counties, operating from our main office in Waynesville.
Program Website
Learn more about the Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership