Share Your Voice: Envision Buncombe
Buncombe County is asking residents to help shape the future of the County through Envision Buncombe, a five-minute online survey guiding how the County and local governments will recover stronger, better, and more resilient.
Already, more than 1,300 residents have participated. Resident input will help inform future programs and projects aligned with community needs — especially as we reshape the County’s five-year Strategic Plan in the wake of Helene’s impacts.
Residents are encouraged to take the survey today at engage.buncombecounty.org/envisionbuncombe and share the link with family, friends, and neighbors.
Upcoming Town Halls
Residents can also share their input and access Helene recovery resources at upcoming town halls. Buncombe County Commissioners are hosting a series of town halls this summer to hear directly from residents, provide recovery updates, and connect residents with resources.
District 1 Town Hall
Thursday, May 22 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Koontz Intermediate School Cafeteria
District 2 Town Hall
Thursday, June 26 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
North Windy Ridge Intermediate School Cafeteria
District 3 Town Hall
Thursday, July 24 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Ferguson Auditorium, A-B Tech Campus
More details about the town halls are upcoming.
North Carolina Action Plan
North Carolina is slated to receive $1.4 billion from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to use toward disaster recovery after Helene. The state’s action plan outlines:
- $807 million towards reconstruction and rehabilitation of owner-occupied units, single-family houses
- $191 million for multifamily construction
- $53 million to build and replace workforce housing
- $194 million for community infrastructure
- $111 million in commercial district revitalization
Next step for the state is to go through the financial certification process.
Previously, the N.C. General Assembly appropriated $120 million in general funds for the single-family housing program so that program can get started faster. Currently, the N.C. Department of Commerce is in the middle of multiple active procurements.
For more information, visit www.commerce.nc.gov/recovery.
Important Deadlines
- May 15, 2025 — Deadline to submit paperwork for Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) applications submitted by April 15. For help, call the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100 (option 2).
- June 26, 2025 — Final day to apply for Small Business Administration (SBA) Physical Damage Loans due to Helene. Apply at sba.gov/disaster or call 800-659-2955 for assistance.
Helene Resource Center
The Helene Resource Center at 94 Coxe Ave., Downtown Asheville is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Buncombe County has staffed this center to ensure residents have a smooth experience from start to finish. The center offers in-person help with:
- FEMA and SBA assistance
- NC Disaster Case Management
- Free home resilience programs (like the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program)
- And more
No appointment needed. Free parking available across the street and ART transit stops are nearby.
Private Roads & Bridges Assistance
If Helene damaged or destroyed your private road, culvert, pipe, or bridge, the N.C. Private Roads and Bridges Program may help. Priority is given to homes where emergency services depend on the road or where multiple households rely on the structure.
Complete the interest form on this website or call 844-746-2326 for assistance.
Debris Removal Progress
As of May 4, over 2 million cubic yards of debris have been removed in Buncombe County, this includes:
- 998,000 cubic yards of right-of-way debris removed
- Over 1 million cubic yards of waterway debris cleared (268 of 426 sites completed)
- Over 2,266 private properties serviced through PPDR
If you see right-of-way debris piles that have not been cleared, call the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100 to report them.
Note: Due to technical difficulties, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers email that was shared to report Private Property Debris Removal concerns was not receiving emails. Please forward any PPDR concerns to DebrisManagementHelene@buncombecounty.org.
Recovery Programs
NC Disaster Case Management Program: Free personalized support to guide survivors through the recovery process. Call 844-746-2326 or complete the intake at buncombeready.org.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP): Long-term improvements to reduce future storm damage (elevating homes, property buyouts, etc.). Apply at buncombeready.org or call the homeowner HMGP hotline at 919-873-5888.
Swannanoa Small Area Plan
The Buncombe County 2043 Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2023, identified Swannanoa as an area needing more detailed planning. After the devastating impacts of Tropical Storm Helene, the need for a focused Small Area, Recovery, and Resilience Plan for Swannanoa has become even more urgent.
In 2025, the County will work with residents, businesses, and local partners to create this plan, which will cover topics like housing, transportation, health, recreation, hurricane recovery, and future disaster resilience. The process will include gathering public input, researching existing conditions, defining the study area, and developing specific goals, policies, and actions tailored to Swannanoa’s unique needs and community vision.
Visit the Swannanoa Small Area Plan Engage Buncombe County page for more information.
Buncombe County Pool Seasonal Openings
Five Buncombe County pools—Cane Creek, Hominy Valley, North Buncombe, Erwin, and Owen Community Pools—will officially open for the season on Memorial Day Weekend, beginning Saturday, May 24, 2025.
Pools will be open seven days a week from June 10 through August 10.
From May 24 to June 10, pools will be closed on weekdays while school is in session, except for Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, when all pools will be open.
Daily admission is $4 per person.
General Pool Hours:
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 1p.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday–Friday: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Extended Evening Hours at Cane Creek, Erwin, and Hominy Valley: Tuesday & Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
For an updated schedule visit buncombecounty.org/pools