Grace in Action Fund Relaunches to Keep WNC Families Housed

Hurricane Helene may no longer dominate headlines, but its lasting effects are still felt deeply across Western North Carolina. As housing insecurity rises, a renewed community effort is underway to keep vulnerable families in their homes.

The Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS® (LOTSAR) has announced the relaunch of the Grace in Action Fund in partnership with Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. This vital initiative aims to provide long-term housing assistance to families still recovering from the storm’s impact.

Since late 2024, Grace Covenant has distributed more than $5.5 million in emergency rent, mortgage, and utility assistance across 12 WNC counties. What began as a rapid relief effort is now evolving into a sustainable recovery program — one that will rely on collective community support.

Every week, up to 100 people walk through Grace Covenant’s doors seeking help: single parents juggling bills, families living in homes with storm damage, and local workers in a tourism economy that has yet to rebound. The need is urgent, and the Grace in Action Fund is designed to meet that need with compassion and flexibility.

To mark the official launch of this next chapter, the community is invited to a special event on Tuesday, July 22 at 6 PM at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church (789 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville). The gathering will feature remarks from church leaders, LOTSAR representatives, and individuals whose lives have been directly impacted by the fund.

This isn’t the first time LOTSAR has stepped in to support the community during crisis. In the immediate aftermath of Helene, members distributed supplies, assisted with disaster relief applications, offered free water testing, and helped secure $1.2 million in recovery funds through national REALTOR® associations.

“This fund is a fast, flexible way to get real help to real people,” said Rachel Brown, President of LOTSAR. “It reflects the values REALTORS® bring to the table: responsiveness, compassion, and commitment to the communities we serve.”

To learn more about the Grace in Action Fund or to contribute, visit: https://lotsar.org/grace/