We believe that health and wellbeing begin when people are safely and affordably housed, and that everyone deserves a stable home. We work with local, state and federal partners to support creation of safe shelter and affordable home rental or ownership for all.
Affordable housing is in extremely short supply in Western North Carolina, so we are working to preserve and add to available housing stock. Numerous area partners bring strengths, expertise and assets to this work. In many cases, Dogwood will play the role of bridge funder, loan guarantor or equity partner rather than simply writing a grant check. This helps increase our impact in the region while preserving grant funds for other strategic purposes.
Our vision for the next several years is to create at least one affordable or workforce housing project in every county we serve.
Support healthy and safe revitalizations that work against displacement and gentrification, preserve home ownership and create generational wealth
Invest in housing with sustainable supports for physical and mental health and wellbeing
Support age-appropriate resources in affordable and workforce units, rental and owned
Increase affordable housing for lowest-income individuals and families
Provide loans, guarantees, and other financial tools to leverage funding opportunities
For more information,
please contact us or email
[email protected]
890 Hendersonville Rd
Suite 300
Asheville, NC 28803
Mailing:
P.O. Box 15729
Asheville, NC 28813
© 2022 Dogwood Health Trust. All rights reserved.
Dogwood and Graham County Rural Development Association (GCRDA) have partnered to develop affordable housing, enabling access to homeownership for thirteen low to moderate-income families in Robbinsville, NC. In October 2021, GCRDA broke ground on the development of 13 lots in preparation for residential construction, providing a path to first-time homeownership for families who could not otherwise afford to purchase safe housing.
PODER Emma stewards, protects and develops permanently affordable housing in the Erwin District of Buncombe County through the creation and support of resident-owned mobile home park cooperatives. Mobile homes are a primary form of existing, affordable housing; however, the traditional model of mobile home parks where residents rent the land creates housing instability and leaves low-income families extremely vulnerable to displacement. The cooperative model creates stable, dignified housing and roots intergenerational wealth in our community. PODER Emma provides extensive technical assistance, training and cooperative development services, as well as home repair services to protect existing affordable housing units. The organization has partnered with Dogwood to provide home repair services to ensure health, safety and dignity for these units.
Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity is a small, rural Habitat for Humanity affiliate working to build homes for low-income families in Western NC. Since the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased construction expenses, Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity partnered with Dogwood to cover the cost increase of building materials. Savings are passed to the homeowner, ensuring affordability. A recently built home welcomed its new owners, a single father and his two girls, ages eight and six.
The Revitalizing Spindale project is directing community partnerships, input and involvement into a specific area of Spindale, NC, to address community blight, increase affordable rental opportunities and increase homeownership opportunities. Rutherford Housing Partnership and Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity are partnering with Dogwood, the Town of Spindale and the Stonecutter Foundation to increase housing opportunities and rebuild a vibrant community.
Dogwood is working with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (ECBI) to provide gap funding for programs to meet unexpected demand, enable capacity building and add an additional housing counselor to support low to moderate-income households within the tribe as well as surrounding counties. Programs help foster parents renovate their homes, as well as support rate buydowns, down payment assistance and portfolio loans for on-boundary applicants who cannot obtain traditional financing.
Located in Asheville and serving people experiencing homelessness, Homeward Bound mission is to prevent and end homelessness through permanent housing and support. Dogwood has partnered with Homeward Bound in their Home is Key project, which will renovate the Days Inn on Tunnel Road in Asheville to offer permanent, supportive housing for 85 formerly homeless individuals. Onsite services will include a health clinic, case management, behavioral health services, employment services, a daily congregate meal and 24/7 security and support staff.
Support healthy and safe revitalizations that work against displacement and gentrification, preserve home ownership and create generational wealth
Invest in housing with sustainable supports for physical and mental health and wellbeing
Support age-appropriate resources in affordable and workforce units, rental and owned
Increase affordable housing for lowest-income individuals and families
