Buncombe County Helene Resource Center Shifts to Appointment-Only Model in March

Buncombe County's Helene Resource Center, which has served more than 1,400 storm survivors in person since opening at 94 Coxe Ave. last April, will end walk-in services on March 27 and shift to an appointment-only model three days later.

The Coxe Avenue location in downtown Asheville will close at the end of the day on March 27, 2026. Beginning March 30, survivors seeking assistance must schedule appointments by calling the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100. Those appointments will be coordinated through the Helene Recovery Office at 200 College St. in Asheville. The call center operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Until March 27, walk-ins remain welcome at 94 Coxe Ave. on the same schedule, with free parking available across the street.

Helene Recovery Officer Kevin Madsen framed the change as a natural progression in the recovery timeline. "This transition is another step in our community's recovery," Madsen said. "With this new format, we're able to ensure a close alignment with our recently formed Helene Recovery Office and our partners serving Buncombe County survivors with disaster case management. While it will look slightly different, we are continuing the efforts to support our community."

The county cited a decline in the number of residents needing in-person assistance as the primary driver of the shift, describing the move as a consolidation of operations. Since opening April 8, 2025, the Coxe Avenue center housed representatives from multiple federal, state, and local partner agencies under one roof, connecting survivors with services including FEMA application assistance, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the state Disaster Case Management program, the Renew NC single-family residential housing support program, and help with private roads and bridges.

The HRC was established as a bridge between the acute federal disaster relief phase and a longer-term locally led recovery. Its opening came as FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers at Weaverville Town Hall and Fairview Library were transitioning out of the community.

Survivors who have not yet connected with recovery services can still reach the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100 before and after the model change. Those needing disaster case management specifically can also contact the NC Disaster Case Management Program directly at 844-746-2326, and the Renew NC housing program at 888-791-0207.