Land of Sky Regional Council is expanding access to critical home repair and modification resources across Western North Carolina through two complementary programs designed to help residents remain safely in their homes as they age.

The Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation Loan Pool Program (ESFRLP27) offers qualifying homeowners in Buncombe County access to up to $70,000 in home rehabilitation funding. The program focuses on improving safety, efficiency, and long-term livability, with an emphasis on supporting aging in place. Assistance is structured as a deferred, zero-interest loan, meaning no payments are required unless the home is sold or no longer serves as the applicant’s primary residence within the first five years. The loan is forgiven incrementally at $14,000 per year, reaching full forgiveness after five years.

Eligible applicants must own and occupy their home in Buncombe County, meet income requirements at or below 80% of the area median income, and fall into one of several qualifying categories, including being age 62 or older, living with a disability, or being a veteran. Households with young children facing lead hazards may also qualify. The program supports a range of improvements, including heating system upgrades, roof repairs, electrical and plumbing work, window replacement, and accessibility modifications.

Complementing this effort is the Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP), which expands services beyond Buncombe County into Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties. This federally funded program provides free home modifications for adults age 62 and older, with a focus on reducing fall risk and improving day-to-day functionality within the home.

Unlike the loan-based ESFRLP27 program, OAHMP delivers no-cost services through partnerships with licensed occupational therapists who assess each home and recommend targeted improvements. These modifications are often small but impactful, such as installing temporary ramps, adding handrails, adjusting door swings, or modifying floor transitions to eliminate tripping hazards.

Eligibility for OAHMP requires that applicants 

• be age 62 or older, 
• live in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, or Transylvania counties, 
• occupy the home or rental unit being modified, and 
• have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income.

Together, the two programs represent a layered approach to housing stability in the region—one addressing larger-scale rehabilitation needs through forgivable financing, and the other providing immediate, no-cost safety improvements that can significantly reduce injury risk and enhance independence. Both initiatives underscore a growing regional focus on enabling residents to remain in their homes longer, safely and with dignity, as housing costs and accessibility challenges continue to rise.

For more information about either program, including questions about qualifications and help filling out the application, contact Jane Pies at Land of Sky Regional CounciL: [email protected] or 828-470-0257.

Source: Land of Sky Regional Council.