Consortium seeks to reallocate $350,000 in CHDO funds to Helene disaster relief

Linnea Schuler, the Southwestern North Carolina Home Consortium representative, asked Haywood County commissioners during a public hearing to reallocate roughly $350,000 in unspent Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) funds into disaster-relief activities tied to Hurricane Helene. "We are requesting to amend this project category and have all current CHDO funds reallocated as disaster relief funding," Schuler said, describing eligible uses such as rehabilitation, homeownership assistance and rental support.

Schuler told the board that HUD has approved waivers that allow the consortium more flexibility to move funds quickly and temporarily use CHDO dollars for non-CHDO organizations through June 30, 2026. She said the consortium intends to prioritize "mountain projects" to get money to the hardest-hit areas in the seven-county region, noting that the consortium has been unable to identify a CHDO partner in parts of the region and has an accumulated balance ready for reprogramming. The consortium's request follows HUD guidance to speed disaster recovery in areas impacted by Helene.

The chair opened the hearing for public comment; no speakers addressed the amendment during the dedicated hearing, and the board closed the hearing after confirming contact information would be provided for follow-up. Commissioners and staff said they supported using flexible federal waivers to accelerate aid to homeowners and renters in impacted communities. The hearing provided a formal opportunity for the board to receive public input before any subsequent board vote on the amendment.