Do you work in downtown Asheville? If so, Buncombe County’s expanded affordable parking program could save you hundreds of your hard-earned dollars. The program already includes 150 spots at the Coxe Avenue parking deck (located at 11 Sears Alley) for a discounted price of $40 per month. After research and public input, the County is excited to offer an additional 50 spots at the College Street parking deck (located at 164 College Street, across from the judicial complex) for $40 per month. This initiative, focused on service industry and retail workers, is now taking applications.

The expansion of the Affordable Parking Program comes after nearly 800 survey respondents shared their support and echoed the need for the program. To help meet that demand, the County is now offering a total of 200 discounted spots for downtown workers. “We’ve heard a lot of positive feedback, and it’s helping a lot of people. Behind housing, transportation is next highest expense for many people… so providing people in the workforce with an affordable way to get close to where they work is really very valuable,” said Commission Chair Brownie Newman.

To be eligible, you need to work in Downtown Asheville and make 80% area median income (AMI), which is less than $22.88 per hour or $3,967 per month. Applications are now open for the program, and it offers 75 spots at Coxe Avenue and 50 at College Street. If you think you’re eligible, then please go ahead and apply.

Did you know MANNA FoodBank provides more than 58,000 meals a day in Western North Carolina? MANNA works in partnership with the Buncombe County Community Connectors to provide much-needed food to 12 locations in under-resourced areas throughout our community. Donations will be collected for two weeks at area libraries and select public-facing County buildings beginning September 25 and ending on October 7.

MANNA served over 155,000 people in June 2023, which was another alarming high in a months-long trend of tens of thousands of people across the mountains needing food support each week. March 2023 marked the end of the pandemic-era SNAP benefit expansion, resulting in a new peak that has since continued to climb.

Buncombe County is asking the community to pitch in to help meet this need by dropping food items by one of our 12 Buncombe County Public Libraries or public-facing buildings.

You can drop off donations at the following locations around Buncombe County (look for the collection bins and signs):

• Public libraries
  • Black Mountain
  • East Asheville
  • Enka Candler
  • Fairview
  • Leicester
  • North Asheville
  • Oakley/South Asheville
  • Pack Memorial
  • Skyland/South Buncombe
  • Swannanoa
  • Weaverville
  • West Asheville
• Register of Deeds at 205 College St.
• Tax at 94 Cox Ave.
• HHS building at 40 Coxe Ave.
• Elections at 59 Woodfin
• Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin
• Permits and Inspections at 30 Valley St.
• County administration building at 200 College St.

MANNA’s most-needed items include: 

• Canned meats (beef, chicken, tuna)
• Peanut butter (plastic jars only)
• Dried/canned beans (pork and beans, pinto, kidney, black)
• Hearty soups (pop-top cans preferred)
• Meals in a box or can (beef stew, chili, mac & cheese)
• Canned fruit (fruit cocktail, raisins, apple sauce)
• Canned vegetables (green beans, carrots, greens)
• Cereals and grains (rice, pasta, cereal in a box or bag)
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Dry milk (instant non-fat)

Thank you to everyone for helping us with this initiative to support children and families throughout our community.

\

Buncombe County is excited to announce the inquiry process for the 2023 Homeowner Grant Program opens Aug. 1. This program is officially in its third year, and qualified homeowners will have an opportunity to receive financial assistance for housing-related costs. The website buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant will start accepting inquiries Aug. 1-Sept. 30, or homeowners can call (828) 250-5500. You must call or submit an inquiry to determine eligibility.

You may qualify for up to $300 in unincorporated Buncombe County, and up to $500 in City of Asheville. Please note that applicants who received grants last year will need to re-apply.

Through this program, residents who own residential property in Buncombe County that they have lived in as their primary residence for at least five years and who earn at or less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) as a household may be eligible to participate.

If eligible, grantees may choose to have grant funds applied to their property tax bill and/or paid and applied to other housing-related obligations such as housing costs, mortgage, or homeowner’s insurance. Payments are made directly to the source of the approved bill. Payments will not be made directly to individuals. There are several new aspects to this year’s program including new eligibility requirements, and now mobile-home owners may receive the grants.

• You must have owned and lived in your home for 5 years or more
• Your home must by your primary and only residence
• Your household income is at or below 80% of area median income (AMI)
• Your household cannot already be receiving tax deferment assistance like elderly/disabled, or Veterans exemptions.
• You must not have more than $60,000 in liquid resources (for example: your cash on hand, checking & savings accounts combined, or other investments available to you within 7 days)

The inquiry process will be open through Sept. 30. Eligible homeowners can submit an inquiry at buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant after Aug. 1 or call (828) 250-5500 to start the application process. Phone support is available in any language. Please note that we anticipate a high volume of calls and inquiries at the onset, and it may take a few weeks for a case manager to get back with you.

“If you think you may qualify, but you aren’t sure, please give our team a call,” says Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “We know there are a number of unique circumstances, and our staff will work with homeowners to help find solutions.”

If you’ve been struggling to complete a septic system repair at your home, Buncombe County may be able to help homeowners with the cost of the project through a unique grant opportunity. The Septic Repair Assistance Program (SRP) provides financial assistance to repair failing septic systems for qualifying homeowners who do not meet the income limit of 80% of Buncombe County Area Median Income ($64,250 for a family of four). Applications are accepted continuously until further notice.

Previous program participants report that the application process is easy and agree that the program benefits are important as it can be expensive to repair septic systems. If you think you may qualify, please call our staff at (828) 250-5360 to learn more about this opportunity and to see if you qualify.

To apply for financial assistance, you must:

• Be a resident of Buncombe County and own and occupy your home.
• Obtain a septic system repair permit from Buncombe County Environmental Health. To request a repair permit, you must submit an application to Environmental Health. Once the application is received, an Environmental Health Specialist will make a site visit and evaluate the existing system, determine repair options, and issue a repair permit.
• Obtain bids from at least three septic system contractors. Once the repair permit has been issued, you are responsible for obtaining bids from at least three contractors. A bid is an estimate of how much the repair will cost. We recommend that you request bids from more than three contractors to ensure that you receive at least three of the bids in a timely manner.
• Complete a Grant Application form. This form requests specific information needed to determine grant eligibility, including verification of income.
• Submit the Grant Application and copies of three contractor bids to Buncombe County Permits & Inspections, 30 Valley St., Asheville, NC 28801 or [email protected].

For more information, please see the attached document. Applications will be accepted until further notice.

Fall internships have a minimum requirement of 12 hours per week that will be completed within a weekly schedule determined prior to beginning the internship. Interns are required to commit to a 4-5 month internship period. Hour commitments are based on seasonal needs.

No two days in wildlife rehabilitation are the same. Interns must be flexible, dedicated, dependable, and comfortable working as part of a team with fellow interns and volunteers. As well as communicating with the public as needed, interns will carry out a weekly set schedule that they are accountable for during the entirety of their internship.

Wildlife Husbandry Interns (12 hours/week) As a Wildlife Husbandry Intern, you will play a vital role in all aspects of our wildlife rehabilitation operations. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in wildlife care, rehabilitation processes, and facility management while contributing to the well-being of injured and orphaned wildlife in Western North Carolina. This internship provides an immersive experience in various aspects of wildlife care and rehabilitation, based on the intern’s interest.
​
Responsibilities:

• Wildlife Rehabilitation: Participate in the full rehabilitation process, including feeding, cleaning, record-keeping, and monitoring the progress of wildlife patients. Assist in the medical treatment and documentation as directed by staff. Observe and learn how to safely handle, feed, and care for various species of wildlife.
• Daily Animal Care: Provide attentive and compassionate care to injured and orphaned wildlife and their enclosures. Ensure enclosures are clean, safe, and appropriately equipped for the animals’ needs. Assist with feeding schedules and dietary preparations.
• Animal Husbandry: Learn and practice proper animal husbandry techniques to ensure the well-being of the wildlife in our care. Assist with environmental enrichment activities to stimulate natural behaviors.
• Wildlife Transport and Communication: Support wildlife transport efforts as needed, ensuring the safe and secure transfer of animals. Collaborate with the wildlife rehabilitation network in Western North Carolina to facilitate seamless communication and animal transfers.
• Facility Upkeep and Maintenance: Contribute to the cleanliness and organization of the rehabilitation facility. Assist in facility maintenance tasks to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.

Details:

• The internship requires a commitment of at least 5 months.
• Start and end dates are flexible to accommodate academic schedules.
• The intern will work approximately 12 hours per week at the wildlife rehabilitation facility in Candler, NC.

Qualifications:

• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Dedication and reliability.
• Attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting with fellow interns and volunteers.
• Passion for the rescue and rehabilitation of injured wildlife.

Benefits:

• Gain invaluable hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation and animal care.
• Learn from experienced professionals in the field of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
• Develop critical skills in animal husbandry, medical care, and facility management.
• Contribute to the conservation efforts of a respected wildlife refuge.
• Opportunity to explore various aspects of a non-profit organization.

Do you work in downtown Asheville? If so, Buncombe County’s expanded affordable parking program could save you hundreds of your hard-earned dollars. The program already includes 150 spots at the Coxe Avenue parking deck (located at 11 Sears Alley) for a discounted price of $40 per month. After research and public input, the County is excited to offer an additional 50 spots at the College Street parking deck (located at 164 College Street, across from the judicial complex) for $40 per month. This initiative, focused on service industry and retail workers, is now taking applications.

The expansion of the Affordable Parking Program comes after nearly 800 survey respondents shared their support and echoed the need for the program. To help meet that demand, the County is now offering a total of 200 discounted spots for downtown workers. “We’ve heard a lot of positive feedback, and it’s helping a lot of people. Behind housing, transportation is next highest expense for many people… so providing people in the workforce with an affordable way to get close to where they work is really very valuable,” said Commission Chair Brownie Newman.

To be eligible, you need to work in Downtown Asheville and make 80% area median income (AMI), which is less than $22.88 per hour or $3,967 per month. Applications are now open for the program, and it offers 75 spots at Coxe Avenue and 50 at College Street. If you think you’re eligible, then please go ahead and apply.

Did you know MANNA FoodBank provides more than 58,000 meals a day in Western North Carolina? MANNA works in partnership with the Buncombe County Community Connectors to provide much-needed food to 12 locations in under-resourced areas throughout our community. Donations will be collected for two weeks at area libraries and select public-facing County buildings beginning September 25 and ending on October 7.

MANNA served over 155,000 people in June 2023, which was another alarming high in a months-long trend of tens of thousands of people across the mountains needing food support each week. March 2023 marked the end of the pandemic-era SNAP benefit expansion, resulting in a new peak that has since continued to climb.

Buncombe County is asking the community to pitch in to help meet this need by dropping food items by one of our 12 Buncombe County Public Libraries or public-facing buildings.

You can drop off donations at the following locations around Buncombe County (look for the collection bins and signs):

• Public libraries
  • Black Mountain
  • East Asheville
  • Enka Candler
  • Fairview
  • Leicester
  • North Asheville
  • Oakley/South Asheville
  • Pack Memorial
  • Skyland/South Buncombe
  • Swannanoa
  • Weaverville
  • West Asheville
• Register of Deeds at 205 College St.
• Tax at 94 Cox Ave.
• HHS building at 40 Coxe Ave.
• Elections at 59 Woodfin
• Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin
• Permits and Inspections at 30 Valley St.
• County administration building at 200 College St.

MANNA’s most-needed items include: 

• Canned meats (beef, chicken, tuna)
• Peanut butter (plastic jars only)
• Dried/canned beans (pork and beans, pinto, kidney, black)
• Hearty soups (pop-top cans preferred)
• Meals in a box or can (beef stew, chili, mac & cheese)
• Canned fruit (fruit cocktail, raisins, apple sauce)
• Canned vegetables (green beans, carrots, greens)
• Cereals and grains (rice, pasta, cereal in a box or bag)
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Dry milk (instant non-fat)

Thank you to everyone for helping us with this initiative to support children and families throughout our community.

\

Buncombe County is excited to announce the inquiry process for the 2023 Homeowner Grant Program opens Aug. 1. This program is officially in its third year, and qualified homeowners will have an opportunity to receive financial assistance for housing-related costs. The website buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant will start accepting inquiries Aug. 1-Sept. 30, or homeowners can call (828) 250-5500. You must call or submit an inquiry to determine eligibility.

You may qualify for up to $300 in unincorporated Buncombe County, and up to $500 in City of Asheville. Please note that applicants who received grants last year will need to re-apply.

Through this program, residents who own residential property in Buncombe County that they have lived in as their primary residence for at least five years and who earn at or less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) as a household may be eligible to participate.

If eligible, grantees may choose to have grant funds applied to their property tax bill and/or paid and applied to other housing-related obligations such as housing costs, mortgage, or homeowner’s insurance. Payments are made directly to the source of the approved bill. Payments will not be made directly to individuals. There are several new aspects to this year’s program including new eligibility requirements, and now mobile-home owners may receive the grants.

• You must have owned and lived in your home for 5 years or more
• Your home must by your primary and only residence
• Your household income is at or below 80% of area median income (AMI)
• Your household cannot already be receiving tax deferment assistance like elderly/disabled, or Veterans exemptions.
• You must not have more than $60,000 in liquid resources (for example: your cash on hand, checking & savings accounts combined, or other investments available to you within 7 days)

The inquiry process will be open through Sept. 30. Eligible homeowners can submit an inquiry at buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant after Aug. 1 or call (828) 250-5500 to start the application process. Phone support is available in any language. Please note that we anticipate a high volume of calls and inquiries at the onset, and it may take a few weeks for a case manager to get back with you.

“If you think you may qualify, but you aren’t sure, please give our team a call,” says Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “We know there are a number of unique circumstances, and our staff will work with homeowners to help find solutions.”

If you’ve been struggling to complete a septic system repair at your home, Buncombe County may be able to help homeowners with the cost of the project through a unique grant opportunity. The Septic Repair Assistance Program (SRP) provides financial assistance to repair failing septic systems for qualifying homeowners who do not meet the income limit of 80% of Buncombe County Area Median Income ($64,250 for a family of four). Applications are accepted continuously until further notice.

Previous program participants report that the application process is easy and agree that the program benefits are important as it can be expensive to repair septic systems. If you think you may qualify, please call our staff at (828) 250-5360 to learn more about this opportunity and to see if you qualify.

To apply for financial assistance, you must:

• Be a resident of Buncombe County and own and occupy your home.
• Obtain a septic system repair permit from Buncombe County Environmental Health. To request a repair permit, you must submit an application to Environmental Health. Once the application is received, an Environmental Health Specialist will make a site visit and evaluate the existing system, determine repair options, and issue a repair permit.
• Obtain bids from at least three septic system contractors. Once the repair permit has been issued, you are responsible for obtaining bids from at least three contractors. A bid is an estimate of how much the repair will cost. We recommend that you request bids from more than three contractors to ensure that you receive at least three of the bids in a timely manner.
• Complete a Grant Application form. This form requests specific information needed to determine grant eligibility, including verification of income.
• Submit the Grant Application and copies of three contractor bids to Buncombe County Permits & Inspections, 30 Valley St., Asheville, NC 28801 or [email protected].

For more information, please see the attached document. Applications will be accepted until further notice.

Fall internships have a minimum requirement of 12 hours per week that will be completed within a weekly schedule determined prior to beginning the internship. Interns are required to commit to a 4-5 month internship period. Hour commitments are based on seasonal needs.

No two days in wildlife rehabilitation are the same. Interns must be flexible, dedicated, dependable, and comfortable working as part of a team with fellow interns and volunteers. As well as communicating with the public as needed, interns will carry out a weekly set schedule that they are accountable for during the entirety of their internship.

Wildlife Husbandry Interns (12 hours/week) As a Wildlife Husbandry Intern, you will play a vital role in all aspects of our wildlife rehabilitation operations. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in wildlife care, rehabilitation processes, and facility management while contributing to the well-being of injured and orphaned wildlife in Western North Carolina. This internship provides an immersive experience in various aspects of wildlife care and rehabilitation, based on the intern’s interest.
​
Responsibilities:

• Wildlife Rehabilitation: Participate in the full rehabilitation process, including feeding, cleaning, record-keeping, and monitoring the progress of wildlife patients. Assist in the medical treatment and documentation as directed by staff. Observe and learn how to safely handle, feed, and care for various species of wildlife.
• Daily Animal Care: Provide attentive and compassionate care to injured and orphaned wildlife and their enclosures. Ensure enclosures are clean, safe, and appropriately equipped for the animals’ needs. Assist with feeding schedules and dietary preparations.
• Animal Husbandry: Learn and practice proper animal husbandry techniques to ensure the well-being of the wildlife in our care. Assist with environmental enrichment activities to stimulate natural behaviors.
• Wildlife Transport and Communication: Support wildlife transport efforts as needed, ensuring the safe and secure transfer of animals. Collaborate with the wildlife rehabilitation network in Western North Carolina to facilitate seamless communication and animal transfers.
• Facility Upkeep and Maintenance: Contribute to the cleanliness and organization of the rehabilitation facility. Assist in facility maintenance tasks to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.

Details:

• The internship requires a commitment of at least 5 months.
• Start and end dates are flexible to accommodate academic schedules.
• The intern will work approximately 12 hours per week at the wildlife rehabilitation facility in Candler, NC.

Qualifications:

• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Dedication and reliability.
• Attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting with fellow interns and volunteers.
• Passion for the rescue and rehabilitation of injured wildlife.

Benefits:

• Gain invaluable hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation and animal care.
• Learn from experienced professionals in the field of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
• Develop critical skills in animal husbandry, medical care, and facility management.
• Contribute to the conservation efforts of a respected wildlife refuge.
• Opportunity to explore various aspects of a non-profit organization.