ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville officials are reallocating existing city resources to support grants for business stabilization, rental assistance and home repairs for residents and businesses impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.

On Friday, Nov. 8, Asheville City Council received an update at its agenda briefing session on the identification of experienced non-profit partner organizations that will be responsible for distributing more than $4 million in relief grants to the community, with a first tranche of funds totaling $1,954,000. They are as follows:

Mountain BizWorks will distribute Business Stabilization funds, currently totaling $704,000

  • Eligible to businesses within Asheville city limits employing fewer than 200 full-time workers
  • Grants of up to $25,000 per business
  • Helene-related losses that are not covered by other assistance, including repair and replacement of lost business infrastructure, inventory, equipment and working capital
  • Priority given to businesses located in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods and/or employing low- to moderate-income individuals

Eblen Charities will distribute Rental Assistance funds, currently totaling $500,000

  • Grants to households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
  • Priority given to households earning below 60% AMI
  • Equitable access to city residents seeking assistance. This will include, but not be limited to, ensuring that documentation requirements do not exclude those who are differently abled, undocumented or unable to meet typical requirements because of storm-related losses.

Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair (consisting of Habitat for Humanity, Mountain Housing Opportunities, Poder Emma and Community Action Opportunities) will distribute Home Repair funds, currently totaling $750,000

  • Grants to households earning up to 80% of AMI, with priority given to those earning below 60% AMI

The city is working closely with these nonprofit partners to finalize program details in compliance with state and federal funding guidelines. Announcements on where to apply for grants through the nonprofit partners will be forthcoming.

“We recognize that time is of the essence and that community members will be eager to find more information on how to apply for these grants,” the city’s Community and Economic Development director Nikki Reid said in a news release. “We will share more as soon as the grants are available through our partner agencies.”

Click here for information on the City of Asheville’s response to Tropical Storm Helene, including details on debris management, water service recovery, daily updates and more.