Housing stability means more than just having a roof over your head—it means having safe, secure housing that meets your household’s needs over time. For over 20 years, the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County (CHC) has been making that vision a reality for neighbors throughout Madison County, North Carolina in Marshall, Hot Springs, Mars Hill, and the surrounding communities.

The Challenge in Madison County

Roughly one-third of homes in Madison County are considered substandard, creating urgent health and safety concerns for the families living in them. CHC focuses on serving low-income residents who need help the most, including seniors (two-thirds of their clients are over 62), people with disabilities, and those on very low incomes.

Many of these homeowners face multiple major needs at once—leaking roofs, failing septic systems, inadequate heating, structural issues, or unsafe electrical systems. These aren’t just inconveniences; they’re conditions that threaten health, safety, and the ability to age in place with dignity.

What CHC Does

CHC’s primary efforts center on facilitating urgent home repairs and major rehabilitation at no cost to eligible homeowners. The organization assists more than 100 households annually, addressing critical health and safety issues that homeowners simply couldn’t afford to fix on their own.

Through advocacy, education, and resource development, CHC has expanded its impact by building strong partnerships with local businesses, volunteers, and community organizations throughout Western North Carolina. Their approach is deeply rooted in community engagement—recognizing that lasting change happens when neighbors help neighbors.

Key Programs Making a Difference

Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN)

This flagship initiative mobilizes community support for housing projects in a way that creates real, tangible impact. Businesses and organizations can get involved in two meaningful ways:

Named Sponsorship: Companies can financially support a specific project and receive recognition before, during, and after the build. This visible partnership demonstrates corporate commitment to the community while directly improving a neighbor’s quality of life.
Volunteer Groups: Organizations can organize teams for hands-on work—perfect for team-building opportunities where no construction experience is required. CHC provides all the guidance, tools, and direction needed. Many local businesses have found that volunteering together fosters morale, improves retention, and gives team members a sense of purpose beyond their day-to-day work.

The beauty of the NHN program is that it transforms housing challenges into community-building opportunities. A leaking roof becomes a chance for neighbors to come together. A failing porch becomes a Saturday morning project where coworkers connect while making a real difference.

Eats & Drinks Fundraiser

Launched in 2018, this cause-marketing program partners with local food and beverage businesses throughout Madison County. Participating restaurants and cafes dedicate a portion of sales during set periods to support CHC’s work.

This ongoing fundraiser builds lasting relationships between CHC and local businesses while boosting awareness for both the nonprofit and the participating establishments. It engages the wider community by giving people a simple way to support affordable housing in Madison County—simply by enjoying a meal or coffee at a participating business.

Past and current participants span the county and include Sweet Monkey, Zuma Coffee, Marshall’s Main Street Cafe, Happy Cinco de Mayo, and Madison Natural Foods in Marshall; Spring Creek Tavern and Smoky Mountain Diner in Hot Springs; The Original Papa Nick’s, Stackhouse Restaurant, and Baa’d Sheep Burrito in Mars Hill; and Blue Mountain Pizza in Weaverville.

Why This Work Matters

The ripple effects of safe, stable housing extend far beyond individual homes. When a senior can stay in their home safely instead of being forced into institutional care, they maintain independence and community connections. When a family no longer worries about their roof collapsing or their heating failing in winter, they can focus on work, school, and building a better future.

CHC’s work also preserves the character and affordability of Madison County communities. By rehabilitating existing homes rather than letting them fall into disrepair, they help maintain the county’s housing stock and prevent displacement.

For those of us working in housing and mortgage lending in Western North Carolina, organizations like CHC remind us that homeownership is just one piece of the housing stability puzzle. Many longtime homeowners—particularly seniors on fixed incomes—need support to maintain their homes and age in place safely.

How You Can Help

Whether you’re a business owner looking for meaningful community engagement opportunities, an individual who wants to volunteer your time, CHC offers ways to get involved:

Volunteer: Join a Neighbors Helping Neighbors project and spend a day making a direct impact in someone’s life. No construction experience needed—just a willingness to help.
Sponsor: Businesses can become named sponsors of specific projects, providing financial support while building team morale and demonstrating community commitment.
Dine Out: Support the Eats & Drinks Fundraiser by visiting participating restaurants and spreading the word about this easy way to help.
Learn More: Visit chcmadisoncountync.org to discover current volunteer opportunities, upcoming projects, and ways to support their mission.

Building Stronger Communities Together

At GoPrime Mortgage, we believe that strong communities are built one neighbor at a time—through organizations like CHC that show up day after day to make Western North Carolina a place where everyone can thrive.

The work CHC does in Madison County reflects the values we hold dear: neighbors helping neighbors, investing in our communities, and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity and security.

If you’re looking for no-pressure advice on your options for buying or refinancing a home in WNC, we’d be happy to help. Call, click, or come in to our West Asheville mortgage office at 862 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806. We’re also a quick tap away via our website, or reachable at (828) 348-1907 during business hours.