Buncombe County assistance programs.

Find ways to get help with bills and expenses.

Below you will find information on many local non-profits and charities, however two of the leading organizations that provide Asheville and Buncombe County residents with help include Community Action Opportunities and St. Vincent de Paul. Between the two of these groups they offer several resources and programs to struggling individuals and families.

Weatherization Programs and Services is offered by Community Action Opportunities and it helps individuals and families who have limited incomes stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The program will provide free energy saving measures to the household, such as additional insulation, furnace tune ups, caulking, window replacement, and more. All updates, including installation, are free to the applicant. People who are accepted into this program can save hundreds of dollars per year on their utility bills. Both homeowners and renters can apply for weatherization services. (828) 252-2495

Help for rent, utility bills, car repairs, and more.

St. Vincent de Paul helps hundreds of Asheville families every year. While the organizations primary focus is to help struggling families with paying their utility bills, it also will help people with paying their rent, provide funds for car repairs, bus tickets, food aid, and money to prevent an eviction. The mission of St. Vincent Depaul is to help the low income and middle income of this country make it through a difficult period. Call them at (602) 861-2634 to apply or for more information.

 

 

 

Heating bill assistance

For those people who are struggling with their heating bills, Eblen-Kimmel Charities administer a heating assistance program that starts each year in November. Providing heating aid is the number one item they are now focusing on. Last year the charity provided a little more than $1 million in heating assistance alone to Asheville area families. Contact Eblen-Kimmel Charities, at 255-3066, or stop by their office at 12 Regent Place, Asheville, North Carolina.

Crisis Programs

The Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry has several resources for people who are facing an emergency. Among other things they offer a food pantry, soup kitchen to people who need food aid, shelter and they also offer a heating bill assistance program. They have several other options as well. Various resources and assistance programs are offered. Programs offered include emergency assistance for food, clothing, pet food, and household items. Assistance may be able to be offered for fuel for heating bills when income and other government resources are insufficient. In addition, emergency financial assistance for utilities, housing and rent will only be provided if a disconnection of that utility would cause a life threatening situation, or they are facing imminent eviction, and all other resources and government programs have been exhausted. Phone (828) 670-1221 or stop by 30 Cumberland Ave.

Another organization to contact is Hominy Valley Community Services (667-3441). This charity offers emergency financial assistance and help in the form of clothing, free food, heating fuel, medicine, and energy bill help for indigent families in the community.

Swannanoa Community Council (775-5595) may be able to provide certain Buncombe County residents with funds for paying utility bills.

Salvation Army - Buncombe County - Limited amounts of financial assistance may be offered, under certain conditions. The Agency may be able to provide emergency financial assistance for paying rent, utilities, cooling bills, heating expenses, and prescription medication, as well as household goods and general assistance. You need to make an appointment and apply. Asheville North Carolina. (828) 253-4723

Biltmore United Methodist Church - Programs can assist families and individuals in need with utilities, food, gasoline, cooling and heating bills, and rent (on a case by case basis). Financial assistance is limited to $25 for qualified people. The church also has a food pantry on site. Asheville, NC. (828) 274-2379

Housing assistance, rent, and shelter - Renters in Buncombe County who anticipate falling behind on their rent, individuals who need shelter or transitional housing, or if you need other housing assistance, find a listing of regional Asheville rent assistance programs.

Asheville North Carolina Salvation Army

This is yet another place for people to turn to. They also have several different resources, and it includes everything from rent help, to grants for utility bills, free prescriptions, and more. They also do a good job in referring people to various hardship programs. The heating bill assistance program they administer starts in November of each year. Aid is provided up through February. Call them at 258-2283 for help.

 

 

Free debt elimination and reduction services

Many people are struggling with paying their credit card and medical debts, and Ontrack Financial Education and Counseling may be able to assist you. The agency provides free, confidential professional debt elimination and budget counseling, and they also offer money management assistance to people in financial crisis or who are struggling with debts, and those who want a plan to prevent a crisis. Call them at 255-5166

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministries

This organization, which can be reached at (828) 259-5300, will provide families in need funds to pay their heating bills. Last year they provided over $100,000. They have limited funding, and much of the aid they provide is donated by local residents and businesses. So apply early, and also please contribute if you can.

Vision care and eyeglasses

Asheville Lions Eye Clinic (828-665-2982) provides a wide variety of eye care programs, including free screenings for glaucoma and vision, they recycle and offer used eyeglasses, offers Diabetes screening for a nominal fee of $1.00  provides eye glasses and free eye exams to low and moderate income residents in Buncombe County. In addition, they also provides vision re-screenings to all schools in Buncombe County.

Low income and uninsured health care assistance

WNC Community Health Services provides primary medical, dental, and health care services to low-income, uninsured county and Asheville North Carolina residents. People who can’t afford their medical or dental bills, or who have limited insurance, are targeted by this clinic. Dial 285-0622 to learn more or make an appointment.

Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry offers dental assistance, and can direct people to other health and medical community clinics. Call (828) 259-5339.

In addition to these health centers, find more Asheville community clinics.

Food assistance programs

The Manna Food bank (phone number 299-3663) partners with various local charities, non-profits, and food distribution centers. Turn to them if you need help providing for your next meal.

Biltmore Church of God Food Pantry ((828) 274-7351) offers free food and Riverside Baptist Food Pantry ((828) 252-5634) also provides nonperishable food.

If these three food distribution centers can’t help you, then locate more Asheville North Carolina food banks and pantries in the county.

Home repair programs

Low-income homeowners, including senior citizens, the elderly, disabled, and families that have three or more dependent children can receive low cost or even free home repairs and improvements from Mountain Housing Opportunities. Call them at 254-4030.

Free foreclosure counseling and prevention advice

If you are facing a foreclosure or are struggling to pay your mortgage, Asheville based Ontrack Financial Education and Counseling offers several housing assistance programs. The organization provides housing and foreclosure counseling, support, information on mortgage programs, and advocacy to assist homeowners in attaining and maintaining stable housing and stopping a foreclosure. 255-5166

Legal assistance, including foreclosure counseling, in Buncombe County

Pisgah Legal Services offers free legal advice for the civil civil legal issues. Illegal or questionable eviction; where home foreclosure, mortgage difficulty or loss of home is avoidable through legal representation; free legal assistance and representation to help low-income individuals and families secure decent, affordable housing and avoid homelessness; housing discrimination, and more. Call (828) 253-0406, or click here for additional NC legal aid.