Helping hurricane helene survivors come home and preserving hope for generations

Apply for a Home

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Providing permanently affordable housing

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Ensuring community control and local decision-making

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Restoring hope, opportunity and stability for survivors

Aerial view of a small town surrounded by green hills, with a river overflowing and flooding the streets and buildings.

For years before Hurricane Helene, Western North Carolina has experienced rising property values, speculative investment, and an influx of second-home buyers. Helene did not create this region’s housing crisis. It exposed and accelerated it. Thousands of displaced families now compete for housing in a market already short on supply and long on cost.

ROOTS Community Land Trust was founded to address the housing crisis for Helene survivors and write a different story for current and future generations of WNC.

A person wearing white protective clothing stands in front of a heavily damaged house with debris, wood, and wreckage scattered on the ground. There are buckets, a wheelbarrow, and other tools nearby.

Were you impacted or displaced by Hurricane Helene?

Two women on orange ladders painting the exterior of a house with yellow siding. One woman stands on a ladder holding a paintbrush and a paint tray, wearing tan overalls and a wide-brimmed straw hat. The other woman stands on a ladder wearing a patterned blouse and a red bucket hat, holding a paintbrush.

Are you searching for affordable housing in Western North Carolina?

A residential neighborhood with modern houses, a grassy lawn, a young tree, and a large rock in the foreground. The houses are painted blue, white, and teal, with wooden porches and steps. A person is walking along the sidewalk.

Do you want to own your own home?

Permanent Affordability with the Community Land Trust Model

Icon of a house with a heart symbol in front of it.

Homeownership

Provide a foundation for wellness, dignity, and economic opportunity through homeownership

Golden silhouette of three houses on a curved hill with a sun shining above.

Long-term Rebuilding

Accelerate Helene rebuilding and recovery with community support

Gold icon of a family (two children and two adults) under a house roof.

Leverage Recovery Resources

Leverage disaster funds and volunteer support for long-term benefit for multiple generations

Line drawing of two hands shaking, symbolizing agreement or partnership.

Partnering in Recovery and Rebuilding

Bringing together organizations, volunteers, and resources

Learn more about the CLT Model

disaster recovery takes many years and Committed partners

In the initial days after a disaster, there’s an outpouring of support and the community comes together to respond to the immediate needs. But months later, when the media attention is over and first responders have moved to the next disaster, the community is left to tackle the long-term rebuilding. 

Get Started
Two construction workers on a building site, framing wooden walls under a blue sky with some clouds. One worker, wearing a red sleeveless shirt, sunglasses, and a cap, is standing with arms raised. The other, wearing a yellow shirt and sunglasses, is leaning over a large green board.

Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders has been rebuilding homes for disaster survivors for 20 years. We partner with the community to support the long-term recovery. 

Steps to Community Land Trust Homeownership

  • 1. Check Eligibility

    Complete the ROOTS Intake Form to check eligibility. We will contact you about whether you qualify.

  • 2. Complete Requirements

    Complete required documentation, which may include the last three months of pay stubs, bank statements, W-2, and three years of tax returns. Potential homebuyers must also complete an approved 8-hour homebuyer counseling course. 

  • 3. Work with a lender

    Get pre-qualified by a ROOTS approved lender, sign the 99-year ground lease, and purchase your home!