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.
SMHP Forges a Path to More Affordable Housing
Mountain Projects’ Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership has championed the cause of more affordable housing since 2018
SMHP program established with $300,000 donor investment
November, 2018
Waynesville
Battle of Badges fundraising event, a football game between police and firefighters
August, 2019
Haywood County
Groundbreaking at Bethel Village in Jonathan Creek
August, 2020
Haywood County
We receive a grant award from the Canopy Foundation
September 2020
North Carolina
“Mountain Projects has become the bridge between recovery and resilience—turning crisis response into long-term community rebuilding.”
We hired our first staff person
December, 2020
Waynesville
We become a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency
April, 2021
Haywood County
We receive a grant from the Dogwood Health Trust
May, 2021
Haywood County
HOME Consortium Established
July, 2021
North Carolina
“We step up when the community needs our agency. That was the only choice we had … our staff are the types who are willing to go above and beyond.”
Harkins Ave. property purchased in Clyde
September, 2021
Clyde
Revolving Development Fund established
April, 2021
Haywood County
Community Foundation of WNC grant provides a worksite trailer
2021
Haywood County
Large parcel in Fines Creek/Dream Valley donated to SMHP
July, 2021
Fines Creek
“In November 2023, Mountain Projects became the first self-help housing grantee in the country to successfully integrate modular homes into the USDA Section 523 program.”
Harris Estates, Sylva Groundbreaking
June, 2022
Sylva
Fines Creek/Dream Valley parcel is sold
2022
Haywood County
HOME grant and a second Canopy grant awarded
2023
Haywood County
Harris Estates in Sylva complete and its homes occupied by Self-Help program participants
2024
Sylva