Buncombe County Commissioners Accept $900K in Federal Aid for Covid-19 Relief

Rent, mortgage, and utility assistance available.

Emergency funding for those in need of pandemic-related assistance will soon be available. On January 5, 2021, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved accepting $900,000 of federal funding from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). This money will be used exclusively to help with financial hardships stemming directly from economic impacts of Covid-19.

While the county is awaiting specific guidance from the state’s Department of Commerce, the county Health and Human Services Department will handle distribution of the funds as they are in hand.

The money can be used for emergency rent, mortgage, and utility payments including internet for those who have experienced a loss of income as a result of Covid-19. Priority will be given to those facing eviction or foreclosure. All payments will be made directly to the loan provider, landlord, or utility.

To be eligible you must:

  • Be a resident of Buncombe County, outside of Asheville city limits (the City has its own CDBG funding)
  • Be able to demonstrate loss of income due to Covid-19
  • Be able to demonstrate that your bills have not been paid by another organization
  • Earn less than 80% of Area Medium Income (AMI), which for a family of four is $57,300

The $900,000 in Covid funding will be allocated as follows:

  • $824,070 for subsistence payments
  • $50,100 for activity delivery
  • $25,830 for grant administration

Once funding becomes available, details will be posted at www.buncombecounty.org.