Haywood County commissioners on Aug. 4 moved to add and then unanimously approved an item to adopt the 2025–26 annual action plan for the Southwestern North Carolina HOME Consortium, which administers HOME program funds from HUD for regionwide affordable housing activities.

Lanae Schuler, representing the consortium, told the board the consortium — comprising seven western North Carolina counties and participating municipalities — received an allocation of $625,690.80 and intends to fund new rental development and tenant-based rental assistance through an annual application process in 2026. Schuler said the plan aligns with the consortium's five-year consolidated plan and that the consortium held a public comment period from June 2 to July 4 with no comments received.

Schuler asked the board to approve the action plan so the consortium can meet HUD deadlines. Commissioners made and approved a motion to add the item to the regular agenda to meet HUD's submission deadline and then voted to approve the plan unanimously.

Schuler said capital grant applications for Visit Haywood and other programs are under review and that consortium staff will return with awarded projects at the September meeting. County staff did not present alternative funding scenarios or specific awardees for the HOME allocation at the Aug. 4 meeting.

The board recorded unanimous approval; staff will proceed with the administrative steps required to submit the action plan to HUD and to open the 2026 application cycle for HOME-funded activities.