Asheville Residents Celebrated Community During NeighborWorks Week

During its recent NeighborWorks Week (June 5-12), Asheville-based Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO) hosted a number of events to educate, train, and enlighten community leaders about the value of neighbors helping neighbors.

During the pandemic year—especially difficult for low-income families and communities of color—MHO created a Renter Relief Fund to assist residents who live in MHO apartment communities. Organizations including Neighborworks America, the Wells Fargo Foundation, and The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, and individuals and businesses, have raised $79,000 for the program.

“MHO is pleased to have the support of NeighborWorks and foundations, and we are equally overwhelmed by the generosity of individuals and businesses in the Asheville area,” said James Dennis, MHO Asset Manager and Finance Officer. “Our community really stepped up for our residents. I have received many letters from residents expressing their gratitude. The gift of fresh produce and meat helped extend the financial resources of residents.”

Financial donations helped fund food contributions and provided other needed supplies for MHO renters and their families in the Asheville area. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and pandemic supplies were delivered to 720 households, and MHO recently purchased meat from Lean Times Meat Company to give to residents, as well.

“What a nice surprise it was to receive the notification that we would receive a complimentary delivery of meat,” said a resident of East Haven Apartments in Swannanoa, NC. “So far, I have prepared only the chicken, which was delicious, and look forward to having both the beef and pork. How wonderful that the meat is from local farms.”

Mountain Housing Opportunities is a nonprofit housing and community development corporation based in Asheville, with a mission to build and improve homes, neighborhoods, communities and lives, and to build hope and dignity in the people they serve. MHO serves more than 2,000 North Carolina residents each year in their programs of affordable housing development, home lending, apartment leasing and management, emergency home repair, and community revitalization.

For more information, call (828) 254-4030, or visit www.mtnhousing.org.