A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

AAHH is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. We promote policies and systems that eliminate restraints contributing to poverty and poverty housing.

AAHH brings 34 years of construction expertise and a pool of over 2,000 volunteers. AAHH serves in the critical roles of mortgage originator, underwriting and providing loans and mortgages; a program provider, offering nearly 60 hours of Homebuyer Education teaching our homeowners the responsibilities of homeownership and encouraging their self-sufficiency; and financial counselor assisting homeowners in a financial crisis. All homeowners are qualified for our program by the NC Licensed Loan Originator on staff through an underwriting process that verifies homebuyers' incomes are between 30-70% of AMI and debt ratios are within established guidelines. Our homeowners complete at least 200 hours of “sweaty equity" and purchase new homes utilizing a 30-year, 0%-interest mortgage.

AAHH measures impact as an organization through both Community Impact Metrics and Internal Organizational Metrics. Community Impact Metrics: 1) New homes built through New Construction Program, 2) Homes repaired through Home Repair Program, 3) Dollar value of home repairs completed, 4) Requests for help from families - those served and partially served, 5) Financial counseling services provided and referrals made, 6) Homeowner classes provided, 7) Tons kept out of landfill by ReStore, 8) Diversity of ethnic backgrounds - homebuyers, board, staff, 9) Economic impact of labor and materials purchased, 10) Property taxes paid annually by homeowners. Internal Organizational Metrics: 1) Traditional financial metrics measured, audited, and reported by organization, 2) Delinquency rates on loans, 3) Number of donors, 4) Number of volunteers and hours worked, 5) ReStore transaction data. AAHH engages in strategic planning every 3-5 years and through this process, goals are established to: 1) Build community impact, 2) Build sector impact, and 3) Build societal impact.

Founded in 1983 as first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) has built and sold over 310 new homes to low-income homebuyers; Since the Home Repair Program launched in 2011, AAHH has completed critical home repairs for over 231 low-income homeowners. In February 2017, we celebrated our 35th Anniversary and 500 families served.