Housing
Vision: Henderson County residents have access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing.
If you have a desire to be involved in community strategies/programs related to safe and affordable housing, please contact us below
Henderson County Housing Coalition
The Henderson County Housing Coalition intends to create a unified strategy for housing—something the county has not previously had. This approach will consolidate current efforts, identify open projects, and clarify eligibility criteria and populations served, while also mapping existing assets and resources. By gathering and organizing data on both community and organizational needs, the coalition aims to build a comprehensive understanding of the local housing landscape, ensuring that gaps and opportunities are clearly identified.
Collaboration will be at the heart of this work. The coalition seeks to raise awareness, engage stakeholders, and offer practical ideas for how individuals and organizations can contribute. Through identifying barriers, developing solutions, and recognizing the interconnectedness of housing with broader health and well-being priorities, the coalition will work to create a localized, coordinated approach that strengthens housing stability and affordability across Henderson County.
HCHC meets on the second Thursday of the month, details on the PFH Calendar
Why Housing?
Safe and Affordable Housing has been a priority since the 2015 CHA and continues to be of concern for many. Housing is considered a social determinant of health and can affect a wide range of health and quality of life outcomes. Everyone needs a place to live regardless of age, job, race, ability, income, or position in life, but not everyone has access to housing they can afford. “Affordable housing” is defined as spending no more than 30% of household’s monthly income, including utilities, on housing costs. Generally, when spending more than 30% of their income on housing, they do not have enough income to withstand financial setbacks or meet other basic needs such as food, clothing, and medical insurance.
On average, Henderson County residents spend more on housing (rental and mortgage costs) as compared to the rest of the region. Both the median gross monthly rent and the median monthly home-owner costs in Henderson County are the second highest in the region, only behind Buncombe County. In 2022, 40.2% of all people who rent homes in the county are spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs. Of all people who own homes in Henderson County, 25.8% are spending more than 30% of their household income on housing costs. Further, nearly 18% of renters and 10.8% of homeowners spend more than 50% of their income on housing costs. While the number of residents spending over 30% on housing has decreased slightly, the number of residents spending over 50% on housing has increased.
Nearly a third of all respondents (30.4%) to the 2024 Community Health Survey reported that they have been worried or stressed about paying their rent or mortgage in the past year. Over half of the Hispanic (54.2%) respondents and 42.7% of the Black respondents have felt this way, as compared to 27.4% of White respondents.
Almost 14% of adults reported living in unhealthy or unsafe housing conditions in the past year. 11% of adults reported having a time in the past year when their home was without electricity, water or heating (for any reason). Just over 10% of respondents have had to live with a friend or relative in the past three years due to a housing emergency. The number of respondents reporting they have lived on the street, in a car, or in a temporary shelter in the past three years nearly doubled from 2.3% in 2021 to 4% in 2024. Of these respondents, 12.4% Black compared to 4.1% Hispanic and 3.4% White and 7.9% LGBTQ+.
After Tropical Storm Helene, as of January 2025, Henderson County Emergency Management assessed nearly 60,000 structures (including homes) for damage after Tropical Storm Helene. 3,000 structures had minor to major damage, 296 were destroyed and 228 landslides had been documented. From that point in time there were still 183 Henderson County residents in the FEMA TSA program.
HNC2030 Alignment?
Safe & Affordable Housing and the related result, "Henderson County residents have access to safe, affordable, and adequate housing", are aligned with the following Healthy NC 2030 health indicators and desired results:
· Individuals Below 200% Federal Poverty Level- Decrease the number of people living in poverty
· Severe Housing Problems- Improve housing quality