The eight-acre site, located near Exit 66 off I-40 and just five minutes from downtown Black Mountain, is already fully permitted and groundbreaking took place in June. It represents a bold step forward for MHO’s mission to improve lives through housing. “We believe that if you work in this community, you should be able to live in a safe, attractive, affordable home in a good neighborhood,” said Lukas Ray, communications and engagement officer with MHO. “By investing in our local communities, we are investing in the future of our communities.”

The project is being developed in three 20-home phases, with construction of Phase 1 expected to begin in November 2025. MHO plans to build some homes through its Turn-Key Homeownership Program, while 18 of the 60 homes are expected to be built by participants in MHO’s Self-Help Homeownership Program—a model that pools the labor of future neighbors to reduce costs and increase equity. Each phase will include a Self-Help cohort of six families. “The majority of homes will be sold to households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income,” said Ray. 

The location qualifies for USDA Section 502 financing, a key advantage in supporting affordability. “We do urge local community members to support the USDA Section 502 Direct Loan Program and the Section 523 Mutual Self-Help Housing Program,” Ray said. “These programs are essential in supporting low-income individuals and families, many of them first-time homebuyers, who realize the dream of homeownership.”

The organization expects the project to have both immediate and lasting benefits for the region, particularly in the wake of Hurricane Helene. “MHO is working to rebuild homes, support displaced families, and sustain long-term recovery after Helene,” they shared. “Homes are essential to recovery, helping our community recover and stay in WNC.”

A major financial catalyst for the project was a $500,000 infrastructure donation from Black Mountain Presbyterian Church—funds that were received in the aftermath of Helene and strategically invested in long-term housing recovery. MHO also cited strong backing from other funders, including First Citizens Bank, the Truist Foundation of WNC, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Dogwood Health Trust, and Buncombe County Planning & Development.

While the project’s design follows MHO’s traditional ethos—“attractive, affordable homes in good neighborhoods”—this build is notable for its scale. “The main thing that sets Black Mountain apart is that it is the largest single-family development that MHO has ever attempted,” Ray said. 

The development is expected to support not only regional disaster resilience but also the broader housing market. “More housing means more resilience when it comes to recovery work,” MHO explained. “We hope to help people realize their dream of owning a home. The need in our area is already so great.”

Visit MTNHousing.org to learn more.