03/10/2026
🌧️🏠 A Home Restored. A Community Renewed.
Despite the rain, Beacon Village neighbors and friends gathered in gratitude to celebrate the reopening of a beloved generational home on Edwards Avenue, a powerful milestone in Swannanoa’s long-term recovery after Hurricane Helene.
What was once a flood-damaged structure filled with mud and debris to the rooftops has been rebuilt from the studs out, restoring a home that has been in Karla Gay’s family for more than 90 years.
“This is a third-generation home that almost washed away,” Karla shared. “From literally the ground up, this house has been transformed.”
The rebuild was led by Valley Hope Church and and made possible by partners from the Better Together Coalition like , , , , , and , as well as sponsors from EPC POSE and faithful volunteers from across the country.
Even more meaningful: this is the first rental home to reopen in Beacon Village since the storm, helping address the urgent housing need in a community where many families are still displaced and living in tents, hotels and campers until they can find a new rental they can afford.
But the story is bigger than one house. “What felt like extreme loss suddenly became overwhelming hope,” Karla said. “This isn’t just about buildings. It’s about the hope and the spirit of the people who live here.”
Neighbors who once only knew each other in passing now show up like family. Street by street, home by home, our community is coming back to life.
💛 Recovery is more than rebuilding structures. It’s rebuilding community. We are so grateful for the ways that our Father in heaven is making all things new. 💛 Thank you to all those who put your hands to work to make this home new and to our amazing local businesses for making this such a special celebration! .company.pizza .co Photo and quote cred: Henson and