Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership (SMHP)
The Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership (SMHP), a program of Mountain Projects, continues to expand affordable housing opportunities across Western North Carolina—helping families achieve stability, independence, and homeownership.
Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership (SMHP) Attainable Housing Program Application Status
The Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership is not accepting new applications for its Attainable Housing Programs at this time. Rising construction, infrastructure, financing, and regulatory costs continue to make it challenging to develop affordable homes for low-income individuals and families. Our current projects are in various stages of planning, environmental review, infrastructure development, or construction, and no homes are currently available for purchase. As a result, we are not accepting applications or maintaining an active buyer selection process. Individuals who have already completed the qualification process will continue to receive updates as any major milestones are reached.
Project Statuses
Harkins Avenue (Between Clyde and Canton)
The Harkins Avenue project is planned as an attainable homeownership development, with infrastructure funding provided through HUD Disaster Recovery and North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) programs. Since the project was initiated, rising construction, infrastructure, and financing costs, along with additional site development requirements, have increased overall costs. At the same time, public funding programs limit home sale prices to ensure affordability for income-qualified buyers. Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership and its partners are evaluating the best path forward to meet community housing needs while maintaining long-term affordability and financial sustainability.
Bethel Village (Jonathan Valley)
The Bethel Village development, which includes Self-Help Housing and attainable homeownership opportunities, continues to move forward. However, Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership is not accepting new applications for this project at this time. should additional opportunities become available, it will be announced through our website and other communication channels.
Second Avenue (Sylva)
The Second Avenue project in Sylva has been completed, and all homes are occupied.
Webster Village (Jackson County)
The Webster Village project is progressing through environmental review and site preparation activities. Located on Little Savannah Road near Webster, the development is a partnership among Mountain Projects, Givens Communities, Western Carolina University, and Jackson County. The project is intended to increase housing opportunities in Jackson County through a mix of housing options designed to serve low-income seniors, professional households, and first-time homebuyers. The project remains in the planning and pre-development phase and has not yet reached the application stage. Additional information will be shared as development milestones are completed.
Looking Ahead
Our mission remains unchanged: to provide safe, quality, and attainable housing for individuals, working families, and seniors in Haywood and Jackson counties.
Project timelines depend on environmental reviews, funding, infrastructure, regulatory approvals, and market conditions, so future application dates are not yet available. Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership does not maintain a waiting list for homeownership opportunities. When applications open, announcements will be made on our website, social media, and through partner organizations. Thank you for your patience as we navigate the challenges of affordable housing development.
Project updates and future application opportunities will be shared through our website and other communication channels as they become available. For questions, please contact Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Are applications currently open?
No. Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership is not accepting applications for affordable homeownership opportunities at this time.
Why are applications closed?
Our current projects are in various stages of planning, environmental review, infrastructure development, funding review, or construction. Because developments are still in the planning stages, we are not accepting applications at this time.
When will applications reopen?
Future application dates have not been determined. Project timelines depend on environmental reviews, funding availability, infrastructure requirements, regulatory approvals, and market conditions.
Is there a waiting list?
No. Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership is not maintaining a waiting list for future homeownership opportunities.
How will I know when applications become available?
Announcements will be posted on the Mountain Projects website, social media channels, and through community partners. We encourage interested individuals and families to monitor these communication channels for updates.
Can I apply for a specific project now?
No. None of our current affordable housing developments are accepting applications at this time.
Will the Harkins Avenue project move forward?
Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership and its partners continue to evaluate development options for the Harkins Avenue property. Project planning is ongoing, and updates will be shared as significant milestones are reached.
Will the Harkins Avenue project still be homeownership housing?
Development planning is ongoing. Housing types, project design, funding sources, and timelines may be adjusted as we evaluate the best ways to meet community housing needs while maintaining long-term affordability and financial sustainability.
Can I reserve a home in a future development?
No. Homes cannot be reserved before an official application process is announced.
What income level is required to qualify?
Income requirements vary by project and funding source. Eligibility criteria will be announced when applications become available.
Are rental housing opportunities available through these developments?
No. However, Mountain Projects administers the Section 8 Housing program. To learn more about Section 8 Housing Vouchers, visit this link: https://mountainprojects.org/section-8.
What if I have already started the qualification process? What happens to my application materials?
If you have completed the qualification process with Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership, we will continue to provide updates as significant project milestones are reached. Please note that eligibility determinations are tied to specific projects and funding sources, and previously submitted income, credit, and household information may need to be updated or resubmitted when future application opportunities become available.
If you submitted materials but did not complete the qualification process, you may be asked to begin a new application when future opportunities are announced.
As always, we encourage all clients to take advantage of our Housing Resources Guide at https://smokymountainhousing.org/ and to make every effort to seek additional opportunities and resources.
Why do affordable housing projects take so long?
Attainable housing developments require environmental reviews, extensive infrastructure planning, financing approvals, regulatory compliance, and coordination among multiple funding partners. And then, utilizing grant funding for affordable housing projects requires that we work within the funders’ additional requirements. Each of these steps helps ensure that housing is safe, financially sustainable, and affordable for future residents.
Who can I contact with questions?
Please contact Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership at [email protected]
“As many are aware, home ownership 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.”
Smoky Mountain Housing Partnership (SMHP) is the affordable housing division of Mountain Projects. 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.
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.
2025 in Review
Five Section 8 Voucher holders transitioned successfully from rental assistance to homeownership.
Three Self-help homes were completed through the USDA 523 Self-Help Housing Program, marking the first use of modular homes in the nation under this program.
Three additional homeowners have been approved and are preparing to begin construction.
Mountain Projects received a new USDA 523 Self-Help grant to assist 13 more households in building their own homes.
We were invited to speak at the 2025 National Rural Housing Conference in Washington, DC
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