WE'LL MAKE IT HOME TOGETHER™

February 2025

It has been more than five months since Hurricane Helene devastated our communities on Friday, September 28, 2024. Since then, MHO has been working tirelessly to support our staff, residents, community, and partners. The path to recovery is long and challenging, with many uncertainties ahead. However, we assure you—our community—that we remain committed to keeping you informed with the latest updates, long-term recovery efforts, and available resources at MHO that help us all rebuild, recover, and heal together.

MHO Welcomes Tara Irby

MHO is excited to welcome Tara Irby, who joins the MHO team as the new Director of Asset Management. Tara is deeply familiar with MHO's mission, having previously served as a Board member and collaborated on redevelopment projects for the former Lee Walker Heights (now Maple Crest) and Deaverview properties. With a thirty-year career in affordable housing, community development, and real estate, Tara brings a wealth of experience. Most recently, she served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Asheville Housing Authority.



Tara will lead the Asset Management team in MHO’s priority to significantly expand the supply of quality housing serving low-income households in our region and enrich our housing with resident service programs that materially contribute to residents’ health, well-being, and economic advancement. Welcome, Tara!

MHO Welcomes Three New Board Members!

We are pleased to welcome three new members of the MHO Board, who joined us in January! This coincides with Dana Ward’s retirement after serving for 6 years. Thank you for your service and continued support to MHO, Dana! You will be missed!

Athena Dygert is a lifelong resident of Buncombe County and mom to 6 great kids. As a previous participant in MHO's Self-Help Homeownership Program, Athena has a passion for affordable housing. She has used her real estate license to advance the cause of affordable housing in our community! Athena has served as chair of the Affordable Housing Committee at our local Association of Realtors for 2 years and now sits on their Board of Directors.

Angie Cullen has been involved with MHO since 1998 when she began her work in Community Development for the City of Asheville managing federal and local funding and performing environmental reviews for MHO’s projects. Angie is passionate about safe and affordable housing for all WNC residents. She owns Nest Realty Asheville, a real estate company focused on community support. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking with her pups, and snuggling up with a good book.

Lee McElrath recently retired after a 39-year career with Enbridge Gas - North Carolina, serving as the statewide manager for key accounts and commercial service covering a territory from Asheville to Raleigh. In this role, he also served as the lead economic development contact for the 28 counties. He is an Asheville native and lives in Madison County with his wife Latrella. They have a son, daughter, and two grandsons. Lee is also vice chair of the Madison County Economic Development Board. Lee previously served on MHO's board from 2016 to 2022 and was the Board Chair in 2021.

MHO is Now a Certified USDA Loan Packager

MHO is now a certified LOAN PACKAGER for USDA-502 Direct Loans! This loan product helps eligible low- and very-low-income applicants obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas through interest rate subsidies allowing higher loan amounts or better affordability. This loan provides 100% financing and can include closing costs and home repair costs worked into the loan if the applicant is eligible. Interest subsidy assistance and eligible loan amounts vary based on income, debt, and other factors.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MHO'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS

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