Signatures Last Updated: Nov 19, 2024 10:45 AM

November 18, 2024

Dear Governor Cooper, Council of State Members, Chief Justice Newby, and Esteemed
Members of the North Carolina General Assembly,

We, the undersigned elected officials, faith leaders, business representatives, community
organizers, and concerned citizens of western North Carolina, are writing to urgently request
your immediate intervention in the form of an eviction moratorium and substantial additional
rental assistance for our region, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane Helene was the most catastrophic hurricane in North Carolina’s history, leaving in its
wake widespread destruction across our region. Over 126,000 homes in western North Carolina
were damaged, and countless businesses and essential services were destroyed or disrupted.
Schools, childcare centers, and businesses were forced to close for weeks, leaving many of our
residents without income or stable housing. As a result, thousands are now at risk of eviction.
Many are unable to pay their rent for November and beyond, and are still waiting for
much-needed rental assistance from state and federal programs.

Despite the severe financial hardship faced by so many, the North Carolina General Assembly’s
October relief bill allocated only $1 million for rental assistance in our region—an amount that
would cover rent for just 297 households while 158,000 households have applied for federal
assistance. This amount is grossly insufficient given the scale of the disaster and the pressing
needs of our residents.

Further compounding this crisis is the fact that local and state rental assistance programs are not
yet fully operational. While efforts to provide support are underway, delays in accessing funds
are leaving residents vulnerable to eviction at a time when they are already struggling to rebuild
their lives. Many are turning to mutual aid networks and faith-based organizations, but these
resources are stretched thin and are only able to provide limited support. This crisis cannot be
addressed piecemeal.

We urgently request that the state take immediate action to prevent further displacement and
economic harm by enacting an eviction moratorium for all of western North Carolina.
Specifically, we call on either Chief Justice Newby or Governor Cooper, with the approval of the
Council of State, to issue an eviction moratorium that will protect tenants from eviction due to
nonpayment of rent until sufficient rental assistance funds are available and operational.

We also implore the General Assembly to allocate more robust rental assistance for our region in
the next relief bill. The $25 million in rental assistance recommended by Governor Cooper must
be expanded and expedited to meet the needs of the thousands of people who are at risk of losing
their homes and contributing to the further destabilization of our local economy.

Without immediate action, we face not only further displacement but a long-term economic
disaster. Our communities’ ability to recover from this unprecedented storm will be severely
undermined if we fail to protect our residents from eviction. Displaced tenants will have nowhere
to go in a housing market already stretched thin, further straining our already burdened
businesses, schools, and essential services.

We cannot afford to wait any longer. With November rent due and eviction filings already
underway, our communities are in dire need of relief. We urge you to act swiftly to prevent
evictions and ensure that rental assistance is accessible to those who need it most. Western North
Carolina is counting on your leadership to help us weather this storm and build a path toward
recovery.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this urgent matter. We stand ready to support you in
this endeavor and are committed to working together to secure the well-being and stability of our
neighbors.

Signed,

Elected Officials of Western North Carolina

As the below-signed elected officials of western North Carolina, we are heartbroken to

witness the profound loss of homes, livelihoods, and security that our communities have
experienced in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Our work toward recovery has only just
begun, but for that recovery to be effective and lasting, it is crucial that higher levels of
government step in with policies that ensure stability for our local economies and residents. To
that end, we strongly endorse the call for an eviction moratorium.

Debra Hinson Bridges Council Member Town of Laurel Park Henderson

Aaron Baker Council Member City of Brevard Transylvania

Marcia Almond Mayor Village of Forest Hills Jackson

Preston Blakely Mayor Town of Fletcher Henderson

Sage Turner Council Member City of Asheville Buncombe

Chris Patrick Bryant Council Member Town of Lake Lure Rutherford

Billy Martin Council Member City of Marion McDowell

David Guy Mayor Town of Ruth Rutherford

Dalton George Mayor Pro Tem Town of Boone Watauga

Todd Carter Council Member Town of Boone Watauga

Kim Roney Council Member City of Asheville Buncombe

Al Whitesides County Commissioner Buncombe

Charlie Wallin County Commissioner Watauga

Eric Plaag Council Member Town of Boone Watauga

Virginia Roseman Council Member Town of Boone Watauga

Roberto Bo Hess CM-Elect City of Asheville Buncombe

Justin E. Conner Council Member Town of Forest City Rutherford

Lauren Wise Council Member City of Brevard Transylvania

Maureen Copelof Mayor City of Brevard Transylvania

Edith Tugman Council Member Town of Boone Watauga

Faith Leaders of Western North Carolina

As the below-signed faith leaders of western North Carolina, we are deeply moved by the
suffering and devastation that Hurricane Helene has caused, particularly among our most
vulnerable neighbors. Guided by our shared belief in compassion, justice, and the dignity of all
people, we affirm that now, more than ever, it is critical to protect individuals and families from
displacement. We fully support the call for an eviction moratorium as a necessary step toward
ensuring the safety, stability, and well-being of our communities during this difficult time.

Karla Miller Senior Pastor

First Congregational Church UCC Hendersonville Buncombe

Rev. George Grimm-Howell Minister

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville Henderson

The Rev. Christina L. Auch Pastor

Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA) Henderson

Rev. Dr. Joan M. Saniuk Clergy (Retired)

Metropolitan Community Churches Henderson

Dwight Olin Christenbury III Associate Pastor

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Hendersonville Buncombe

Rev. Dustin Mailman Pastor

Deep Time Buncombe

Rev. Amy Cantrell Co-Director

BeLoved Asheville Buncombe

Stephen Scott Minister

Presbyterian Church (USA) Mecklenburg

Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward Professor of Theology

Episcopal Church Transylvania

The Rev Dr Anne Gilson Committee Member

The Religious Affairs Committee of the TC NAACP Transylvania

Diane Howard Livingston Deacon (Retired)

Episcopal Church Transylvania

Jacqueline Jenkins Clergy (Retired)

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Transylvania

Rev Nancy Richards President of the Board

Unitarian Universalists of Transylvania County Transylvania

The Rev. Dr. Judith Anne Davis Adjunct Priest

Episcopal Church Transylvania

Rev. Sara Wilcox Pastor

Land of the Sky UCC Buncombe

Kenneth Albright Pastor

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Transylvania

Ralph C. Griffin III Senior Pastor

North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church Wilkes

The Rev. Judith Whelchel Rector

St. James Episcopal Church Buncombe

The Rev. Kevin Todd Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church Henderson

Rev. Kelsey Davis Curate

Cathedral of All Souls Buncombe

Rev. Dr. Lea Brown Volunteer Clergy

Mountain Spirit Metropolitan Community Church Buncombe

Tamara Puffer Presbyterian Minister

Buncombe

Laura Byrch Pastor

Boone UMC and Blackburns Chapel Ashe

Sharon Oxendine Spiritual Leader at Medicine Wheel Way First Nations

Medicine Wheel Way Buncombe and Henderson

Brian Combs Founding Pastor

Haywood St. Congregation Buncombe

Rev. Dr. John Hagmann Senior Pastor/Head of Staff

First Presbyterian Church of Morganton Burke

Rev. Kendra Plating Pastor

First Congregational United Church of Christ Buncombe

George Dillon Culbreth Lay Leader

Clifton UMC Ashe

Rev. Kendra Plating Pastor

First Congregational United Church of Christ Asheville Buncombe

The Rev. Stan Wilson Co-Pastor

Circle of Mercy Congregation Buncombe

Members and Representatives of Western North Carolina Business Organizations

As the below-signed business leaders of western North Carolina, we recognize the vital role
that stability plays in the recovery of our region’s workforce. Displacement due to eviction only
exacerbates the economic challenges already posed by the storm. We are committed to
supporting policies that protect workers and businesses alike, and we strongly endorse the call
for an eviction moratorium.

As organizations:

Go Local Asheville Buncombe

Sherree Lucas

Asheville Independent Restaurants Association Buncombe

Elizabeth Button

Full Circle Recovery Center Macon

Stephanie Almeida

Affordable Acupuncture of Asheville Buncombe

Megan Smith

Keener Psychotherapy Buncombe

Rachel Keener

Tierra Fertil Coop Henderson

 Delie Noemi Jovel Dubon

PRC Applications Buncombe

Patrick Conant

Rose Mountain Farm Ashe

Veneda Ann Rose

As individual members of organizations:

Katherine Van Marter Van Marter Law Buncombe

Tamiko Ambrose Murray Spiral Path Consulting Buncombe

Justin Paul Ferraby The Orange Peel Buncombe

Emma Allen Everyday Oil Buncombe

Rebecca Hecht Asheville Downtown Association Buncombe

Bianca Ingrid Gragg Semillas Counseling and Consulting Buncombe

Irrum Shah Authenticity and Equity Buncombe

Alexandria Monque R. Noir Collective AVL Buncombe

Members and Representatives of Western North Carolina Community Organizations

As the below-signed community leaders of western North Carolina, , we have seen firsthand
the devastating impact Hurricane Helene has had on our region. In this time of hardship, it is
essential to take steps to prevent further disruption to the lives of our neighbors. An eviction
moratorium is a critical measure to protect vulnerable individuals and families from being
displaced in the wake of this disaster, and we urgently endorse the call for an eviction
moratorium.
As organizations:

Transylvania Young Progressives Transylvania

Mary McKeller
Sam Stites
Miles Shafer

Operation Gateway Inc. Buncombe to Cherokee

Philip Alex Cooper
Libby Fisher
Amanda Layton
Tess Monty
Micah Hayes
Michael Jerome Hall
Tonya Cunningham
Lynn Mouyios

Progressive Alliance of Henderson County Henderson

Andy Myers

Through the Trees Transylvania

Yvette Brooks

Counterflow Buncombe
Daniele Pizzo

Centro Unido Latino-Americano Mcdowell

Margarita Ramirez

Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Buncombe

Savanna Craig

Housing Assistance Corporation Henderson, Transylvania, Polk

Margaret Fenton Lebeck

Children & Family Resource Center Henderson

Jamie Wiener
Isabel Ward

The Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County Transylvania

Barbara Grimm

ArtsAVL Buncombe
Katie Cornell

Our Voice Buncombe

 Rita Sneider-Cotter

Asheville Food & Beverage United Buncombe

Brian Dunsmore

Tepeyac Mountain Sanctuary Buncombe

Marisol Jimenez

Pisgah Legal Services

Madeline Offen Transylvania
David Bartholomew Buncombe

Equal Plates Project Buncombe

Madeline Holtzman

Just Economics of WNC Buncombe

Vicki Meath
Sam Stites
Carmen Ybarra
Jen Hampton
Emma Nguyen

The Haven of Transylvania County Transylvania

Emily Theresa Lowery

UNCA Student Government Association Buncombe

Liv Barefoot

Food Connection Buncombe

Flori Pate

Eblen Charities Buncombe

Beth Russo

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity Buncombe

Andy Barnett

Community Housing Co. of Madison County Madison

Chris Watson
Treva Scott

WSS Buncombe & Forsyth

Nicole Townsend-Green

Legacy of Hope International Buncombe

Colaborativa La Milpa Buncombe
Jackie Fitzgerald

Sunshine Labs Buncombe

Patrick Conant

JVP Asheville Buncombe

Lena Angrist

Food Equity Initiative at UNCA Buncombe

Lena Angrist

Appalachian Voices Buncombe

Kristin Stroup

Black Mountain Volunteer Corps Buncombe

Kristin Stroup

Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust Buncombe

Anna Zuevskaya

Ashe County Habitat for Humanity Ashe

Beth Sorrell

Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe Buncombe

Natasha Adwaters

Haywood Habitat for Humanity Haywood

Ryan Newell

SPOT Asheville Buncombe

Carmen Ybarra

MountainTrue Buncombe
Bob Wagner

The Christine Avery Learning Center Buncombe

CiCi Weston

Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness Rutherford

Rachel Brock

Henderson County Henderson

&
Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity Polk
 Linda B. Saturno

Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity Rutherford

Kim Freeman

Democracy North Carolina Buncombe, Henderson

Katelin Kaiser Cherokee, Watauga, Jackson

Food Connection Buncombe

Marisha MacMorran
Melissa Reavis

Carolina Jews for Justice Buncombe

Abby Lublin
Frank Goldsmith

Government Accountability Project AVL(GAPavl) Buncombe

Robert Thomas

Outspoken Undaunted Revolutionaries of Asheville (OURavl) Buncombe

Robert Thomas

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County Buncombe

Daniel Leroy

North Carolina NAACP Haywood, Buncombe, Burke,

Deborah Maxwell Caldwell, Henderson

Southside Community Farm Buncombe

Lydia Koltai

As individual members of organizations:

Christopher Andrews Berg Henderson County NAACP Henderson

Cara Bradshaw Sharing HouseTransylvania Transylvania

Shuvonda Harper Center for Participatory Change Buncombe

Jada Cash Carolina Mountains Literary Festival Yancey

South Toe Conservation Fund Yancey

Laurian Richards Children & Family Resource Center Henderson

Tyler Smith AVL DSA Buncombe

Michael Lynn Hayes Umoja Health Wellness & Justice Collective Buncombe

Whitney Rea Verner Center for Early Learning Buncombe

Michael Chad Holmes Equal Plates Project Buncombe

Rebekah Manning Family Justice Center Buncombe

Meredith Silver Rural Organizing and Resilience Madison

Finnegan-Eustace Leclair Fierce Flix Buncombe

Lauren Essick Down Home NC, Ashe County Ashe

Copland Arnold Rudolph Asheville City Schools Foundation Buncombe

Deborah Phillips Watauga Housing Council Watauga

Dolly Reaves Down Home NC Watauga

Community Members at Large of Western North Carolina

As the below-signed concerned citizens of western North Carolina, we are acutely aware of
the severe hardship our neighbors face as a result of Hurricane Helene. Many of us are still
grappling with the immediate consequences of the storm, and the threat of eviction adds yet
another layer of uncertainty and fear. To alleviate the ongoing crisis, we wholeheartedly endorse
the call for an eviction moratorium, and we stand united in this urgent appeal for compassion and
justice.

Christy Rhodes Brenda Rhodes Crystal Simmons

Buncombe Henderson Watauga
Westley Hollamon Jayne Ellen English Claire siegel
Buncombe Buncombe Buncombe
Janelle King Sheila Clendenning David LaMotte
Madison Henderson Buncombe
Charlotte Shackleford Sarah Hankey Lauren Willingham
Transylvania Transylvania Buncombe
Erica Mullis Kat Chaffin Matthew Arthur
Buncombe Watauga Yancey
Jared Boger Contessa Eller Michele Williams
Buncombe Avery Yancey
Rebekah Woolf Sandy Singleton Rebecca Derby
Haywood Yancey Yancey
Shelby Elizabeth Arnett Angela B Drummond Paige Davis
Buncombe Buncombe Yancey
Larry Winecoff Mary Lee Yearick Gregory Stella
Henderson Mitchell Yancey
Linda D. Block Jacob Blair Niles U.Comer
Buncombe McDowell Buncombe
Emily Vickerman Rachel O'Reilly Danielle Creeksong
Henderson Mitchell Yancey
Eric Jackson Stephen Knight Ron Katz
Buncombe Buncombe Buncombe
Lionell Hightower Ruthie Zaleon Anna Straus
Buncombe Transylvania Yancey
Amy Jayne Moore Sharilyn Owens Judith Nebrig
Buncombe Wilkes Transylvania
Tony Walker Randy Gambill Martha Ryan
Buncombe Wilkes Yancey
Carol Flick Carol S Dalton Linda Sue Goodwin
Transylvania Buncombe Yancey
Kenneth Flick Diana Refsland Emily Chappelear
Transylvania Transylvania Yancey
Yvette Jives Philip A Leonard David Dermont Rose
Buncombe Buncombe Yancey
Amanda Patterson Nicholas Jay-Lehman Katherine Towner
Buncombe Poulos Yancey
Alfred D.Green Buncombe Tamara Kessara
Buncombe Cynthia Sharpe Eldridge
Tez Watley Mitchell Yancey
Haywood Stephen North, MD, Paul Alfred Cope
Bruce Hughes MPH Yancey
Buncombe Mitchell Kathy J Weisfeld
Ashley Sipes Myles Arwine Yancey
Caldwell Buncombe Katherine M. Schultz
Michael Poulos Brette Barron Yancey
Buncombe and Mitchell Mitchell
seren bertrand Yancey Kit Molina-Nauert
Yancey Jessica J Autreu Buncombe
Amanda Crosby Yancey Cassidy Moore
Yancey Carmen Grier Buncombe
Grace Collins Mitchell Nina Tovish
Yancey Martine Miller Buncombe
Gerald Fitzgibbon Yancey Lacy Marie Hornbeck
Yancey Rachel Haimowitz Buncombe
Sylvia Archer Yancey Yancey Samantha Zaldana
Donna Idol Yancey Miles William Schafer Henderson
Paul R. Eisenhauer Transylvania Pat Tompkins
Yancey Banta Whitner Mitchell
Charlene Ihrig-Rush Buncombe Beverly Ann Wilson
Yancey Kaitlyn Burton Yancey
Teal Fyrberg Buncombe Lisa Lane
Yancey Finnegan Bell Yancey
Gretchen Ferrell Buncombe Adam Hutchins
Yancey Sarah House Buncombe
Adam Tebrugge Yancey Ami Worthen
Jackson Jamie Simmons Brady Buncombe
Erin Ryan Buncombe Aimee McNeill
Buncombe Richard J. Kennedy Buncombe
Bridget Fox Yancey Ray Hemachandra
Yancey Rebecca Siegel Buncombe
Nina Ardle Yancey Ashley Cooper
Buncombe Rebbeca Snyder Gray Buncombe
Chelsea Marie West Yancey Joshua Kelly
Buncombe Rachel Leah Breitinger Buncombe
Jonathan Myer Mitchell Karen Chavez
McDowell Sheila Garcia-Garmon Buncombe
Jonathan Marshal Buncombe Desiree Adaway
Burton diana alexander Buncombe
Buncombe Yancey Angelica Reza Wind
Joanne B Roudebush Marie Marcella Buncombe
Buncombe Transylvania Deborah Miles
Jill A Schneider Mary Caroline Myer Buncombe
Yancey McDowell Rachel Letcher
Catheryn C. Maier Sandra L. Bromble Buncombe
Yancey Buncombe Christina Geneve
Ted Skorman Buncombe
Rachel Sossoman Chantal Debreceny Buncombe
Buncombe Mitchell Mira McMahon
Maria del Rocio Amanda Janelle Clayton Buncombe
Quintero Torres Buncombe Flynn DeBona
Buncombe Buncombe
Rebecca Williams Mary T Karnis Jon Weisberger
Buncombe Madison Transylvania
Gloria Keyser Eduardo Fabian Moreno Jason M. Krekel
Buncombe Buncombe Buncombe
Kimberly Mcwhirter Camille Cushman Margaret D Groves
Yancey Buncombe Buncombe
Noel Nickle David Wilder Jeanne DeJong
Buncombe Buncombe Transylvania
David Meesters Tania Duran Renee Lindenaux
Madison Wake Yancey
Martha Robin Sersland Elizabeth Stamper
Stockwell-Goering Buncombe Caldwell
Buncombe Lindsey Davis Vicki Aderman
Evan Richardson Buncombe Yancey
Buncombe Tasha Woodall Sarah McDowell
Garnet Draudt Morgan Henderson Yancey
Yancey Janet Kent Christina McKenzie
Jane Argodale Madison Yancey
Buncombe Sara Russell Sheila Hannon
Leslie Boyd Buncombe Yancey
Buncombe Tristan Eric Wall Anne Craig
Mark Conway Medlin Buncombe Buncombe
Buncombe Jasmine Moore Colleen Connolly
TJ Amos Buncombe Mitchell
Buncombe Niconda Garcia Emily Blackburn
Elizabeth Gibbs Buncombe Jackson
Buncombe Hannah Heal Madison
Claire Robinson Buncombe Eileen Marshall
Buncombe Robert Chiles Transylvania
Chiloh Reece Henderson David R. Marshall
Buncombe Amy Mandel Transylvania
Nikki Harris Buncombe Mary Handy
Buncombe Ariel Shumaker Buncombe
Gracia O'Neill Buncombe Bernard Groseclose
Madison Rose Bator Buncombe
Patrick Conant Celeste B Collins Tammy Martin
Buncombe Buncombe Buncombe
Katherine Eaton Timothy D Kurtz Micah McLain
Jackson Buncombe Buncombe
Mary Etheridge-Trigg Lauren Agrella-Sevilla
Allen Kromer Buncombe Transylvania
Buncombe Beth Sorrell Annelise Hagedorn
Rachael Roberts Bliss Ashe Henderson
Buncombe Alexandra Danner Jonathan J Connolly
Tracey Wold Ashe Buncombe
Buncombe Leslie Cook Milton Butterworth, III
Kelli Brannon Ashe Henderson
Buncombe Susan Steffe Louis Zeller
Elizabeth Trigg Buncombe Ashe
Buncombe Ann Marie Green Walden McLeod
Suzanne Barrett Ashe Buncombe
Transylvania Donna and Bill Apple Turner Wood
Sophie Mullinax Ashe Buncombe
Buncombe Ira Timothy Smith Ari Hanson
James Buffinton Ashe Buncombe
Transylvania Brenda Culp Smith Yazmin McZorn-Hines
Mariah Q. Richardson Ashe Buncombe
Buncombe Tanya Robinson Deana Cecilia Oseguera
Taylor Blanton Ashe Buncombe
Avery Lauren Essick Christina Morrison
Jen Schmidt Ashe Yancey
Buncombe Joanna Bliss Kelly Marie Leppi
Kelly Schwartz Transylvania Buncombe
Buncombe Jewel Arnetta Davis Joshua Allen Sanchez Jr
Lisa Rodke Ashe Buncombe
Transylvania Berkeley Brown Sophie Moeckel
Anita Lawrence Ashe Buncombe
Transylvania Maria Hopper Sarah Reincke
Paul Lawrence Ashe Buncombe
Transylvania Joni Ray Rose Munsey-Kano
Diane Walton Ashe Buncombe
Buncombe Kimberly Guice Ian Cowie
Lydia Carrington Henderson Transylvania
Buncombe Iris Flovin Isabella Abeles
Buncombe Buncombe
Kavi Zuniga Melody LeBaron Jeanette Butterworth
Buncombe Buncombe Henderson
Emily Arden Cobb Adrianne Weir Amanda K Gross
Buncombe Buncombe Buncombe
Renee Dunaway Hayley Booterbaugh Mark Goldstein
Buncombe Buncombe Buncombe
Christine Callaway Meagan Stelchook Grey Samantha Gallman
Buncombe Watauga Buncombe
Harvey Dean Harold Adam Hege Frances Drake
Buncombe Watauga Buncombe
Vincent Russell Isabel Brown Michelle Cranford
Buncombe Buncombe Ashe
Jody Escaravage Sally Loftis Renee Mazurek
Buncombe Avery Buncombe
Brandi Norton Julie Atherton Kelly Danielle Shelton
Buncombe Henderson Buncombe
Toni Stanley Thomas Brown Nnweyna Smith
Transylvania Ashe Buncombe
Tracey Carswell Elaine Jacobs Keaton Hill
Buncombe Ashe Buncombe
Claire McKeller Kathleen Voltz Bruce Elmore
Transylvania Transylvania Buncombe
Jeff Land Catherine Anne Walsh,
Ashe Ph.D.
Paula McKeller Buncombe
Transylvania