Housing
“The housing options and transit systems that shape our communities’ built environments affect where we live and how we get from place to place. The choices we make about housing and transportation, and the opportunities underlying these choices, also affect our health” (County Health Rankings, 2021).
Affordable housing has continued to be an increasing issue in this region, state, and country. For renters in Jackson County during the 2015-2019 period, 43.9% spent greater than 30% of their household income on housing, and 28.9% spent 50% or greater of their household income on housing (with those spending 50% being much higher than the WNC and state averages) (U.S. Census Bureau, Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months: ACS 5- Year Estimates, 2021). During the same time period, among owned units, 27.7% spent greater than 30% of their household income on housing, and 11% spent greater than 50% of their household income on housing (U.S. Census Bureau, Mortgage Status by Selected Monthly Owner Costs as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months: ACS 5-Year Estimates, 2021).
Over a quarter of the population always, usually, or sometimes worried or stressed about paying rent or mortgage in the past year. The cost to rent or own a home has soared, while salaries have not, which has made affording rent or a mortgage difficult. Sourced from Jackson County Community Health Assessment 2021 by the Department of Public Health.
Listed below are organizations that work to address Housing needs. Organizations with volunteer opportunities are notated. For all volunteer opportunities, visit the CCESL Engage page.
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Volunteer Opportunities Available |
Our Mission is—In Christ’s name, feed the hungry, house the homeless, and reduce recidivism in Haywood County. Our Vision is—To glorify God by proclaiming and showing love through a Christ-centered ministry that brings life transformation in a safe, accepting, and caring environment. |
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Volunteer Opportunities Available |
We believe that safe, affordable housing is a right. We offer our services to those in need without judgment regardless of what their barriers to housing may be. |
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Volunteer Opportunities Available |
HOMEBASE is for students who have aged out of foster care and/or |
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Housing Assistance Corporation Volunteer Opportunities Available |
The Housing Assistance Corporation is a private, non-profit organization committed to providing safe and affordable housing for persons of limited income living in Henderson County and surrounding areas, because we believe every human being deserves the opportunity to live in a decent home. Housing Assistance performs repairs for health and safety on homes throughout the year. The agency also conducts a Fall Prevention program that is designed to educate low income elderly and disabled people about the risks of falling in the home and offers suggestions for how to prevent falling. The program also complete modifications and safety upgrades to homes so homeowners may remain living independently, safely and with a sense of security in their own homes. Other programs include homebuyer education and new homes construction including a self-help program for homeowners to assist in the building of their own homes. |
Contact Us
The Center for Community Engagement
and Service Learning
Belk 273
828.227.2091
communityengagement@wcu.edu