The partnership underscores a shared commitment to addressing the crucial link between stable housing and overall community health, setting the stage for accelerating the development of this innovative solution in Buncombe County.
I. Donation Funding and Project Use
The $2 million check from WellCare is a foundational piece of capital funding that will directly support the creation and scaling of the BeLoved Village model.
Total Investment: $2 Million from WellCare of North Carolina.
Target Project: The BeLoved Village in Swannanoa, an intentional community of deeply affordable, energy-efficient micro-homes.
Specific Use of Funds (Capital Costs):
Covering construction costs, including labor and materials, for the micro-homes.
Funding land development, site preparation, and essential infrastructure (utilities, roads).
Accelerating the completion of homes for residents, including families who lost housing due to recent natural disasters like Hurricane Helene.
Supporting the creation of a Replication Action Plan to scale the BeLoved Village model to other communities across the region.
Strategic Rationale: WellCare views the investment as addressing a critical Social Determinant of Health (SDOH)—housing stability. By funding dignified housing, they aim to improve the health outcomes for some of the state's most vulnerable populations.
II. Overview of BeLoved Asheville
BeLoved Asheville is a unique, community-based nonprofit dedicated to equity and innovative solutions in Western North Carolina, working to meet the comprehensive needs of its neighbors.
Mission: To create Home, Health, Equity, and Opportunity for all in the community through grassroots leadership and collective action.
The BeLoved Village Model:
The region’s first micro-home village of deeply affordable homes (typically 440 to 700 sq. ft.).
Residents earn equity in their homes.
Rent is placed on a sliding scale, often capped at 25% of a resident’s monthly income.
Core Initiatives:
Housing: Developing and expanding the BeLoved Village model.
Health: Providing healthcare and first aid through street medic programs for the unhoused community.
Food Access: Running a Street Pantry Program and Free Farmers Markets to ensure food equity.
Equity: Working to dismantle systemic racism and promote racial and economic justice.
III. Overview of WellCare of North Carolina
WellCare of North Carolina is a managed care organization focused on providing services through state and federal programs with a holistic view of health.
Provider Role: Operates as an NC Medicaid health plan as part of the state’s managed care transition. It also offers Medicare and Marketplace health coverage.
Corporate Affiliation: WellCare of North Carolina is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading national healthcare enterprise.
Focus on SDOH: The organization prioritizes investing in local, hyperlocal non-profits to tackle challenges that impact health outside of clinical settings, such as:
Food insecurity and nutrition.
Housing stability and utilities.
Preventive care and mental wellness.
Local Presence: WellCare maintains a physical presence in the region, including the Asheville Welcome Room (150 Tunnel Rd), which offers a space for members to access health plan information and community resources.
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Image: Beloved Asheville Social Media