Haywood County homeowners affected by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for assistance, according to an Apr. 23 announcement. The Southwestern Commission Council of Governments is working with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to provide $6 million in Home Repair Readiness Program funding for Western North Carolina, including Haywood County.
The program aims to help homeowners complete critical repairs such as roofing, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC systems, septic repairs, and moisture remediation. These improvements are intended to make homes safer and prepare them for future weatherization and energy-efficiency upgrades.
Eligible households can receive up to $25,000 in repair support. Priority will be given to low- and moderate-income families whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Helene. To qualify for assistance, applicants must own and live in their home as a primary residence, meet income requirements, and demonstrate that the needed repairs are not already covered by insurance or other recovery programs.
The educational landscape in Haywood County shows varying levels of college readiness among students. Of 430 senior students taking the science portion of the ACT during the 2022-23 school year in Haywood County school districts, 112 (26%) met college readiness benchmarks according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Among juniors taking the same test that year, 121 out of 434 (27.9%) were considered ready for college according to state data.
In reading proficiency on the ACT during that period, 181 seniors (42.1%) out of 430 demonstrated college readiness according to official reports, while among juniors it was 177 out of 434 (40.8%) as reported by education officials. For math skills on the ACT exam among seniors in Haywood County schools last year, again only about a quarter—112 out of 430 (26%)—were deemed ready for college-level work according to state figures. Junior students fared slightly better with math: Of those tested last year in local schools, 123 out of 434 (28.3%) met readiness standards the Department reports.
Residents interested in learning more about eligibility or applying can visit www.WNCready.org.
