Blog

Who I Am and What I Hope for Haywood Habitat

My name is Jared Iraggi, and I’ve been a builder and carpenter in Haywood County for eight years. I previously served as Haywood Habitat’s Construction Manager before briefly joining Asheville Habitat. In mid-June, I began as Haywood’s Executive Director.

In the past, I’ve been involved in nonprofit leadership and fundraising as a Board Member and Chair for Haywood Pathways Center. I earned my Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2013. While my legal career was short-lived, my education helped me grow as a public speaker, discerning listener, and committed advocate.

I am deeply humbled to lead this organization, and I intend to lead with both my head and my heart. We will reconnect with our faith-based foundations and bring hope, dignity, and stability to those we serve. Habitat is a diverse organization, and the landscape of affordable housing is rapidly changing. The housing market is not what it was 5–10 years ago. We must remain adaptable, build new programs, explore new partnerships, and pursue innovative funding opportunities.

Operations and Staffing

Our first three months focused on operations and compliance. We secured our NC General Contractor’s license, ensuring continuity in construction activities. We also obtained Qualified Loan Originator certifications, ensuring our mortgage origination practices align with industry’s best practices. We completed and approved our FY’25–‘26 budget; it includes several new line items we plan to grow in the coming year. In collaboration with our Board, we reestablished our supervisory committees per our bylaws and look forward to new and exciting projects on the horizon. We’ve also updated policies, procedures, and relationships so we are prepared to meet emerging housing needs in the community.

Despite what you may have heard, building never stopped during the leadership change. Great credit goes to our new Construction Manager, Dave Pfister, who stepped into the role in mid-April. Volunteers appreciate his leadership, focus, levity, and mission-driven mindset.

We also welcomed Martha Roberto and Drew Marx as full-time staff in July. Martha oversees office administration, social media, and homeowner support. She has already revitalized our social media presence—please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for important program updates, project news, and community stories. Drew, a recent graduate of WCU’s construction management program, joined as a Construction Associate, supporting volunteers and assisting with preconstruction planning. We are fortunate to have both on our team.

Construction and Community Projects

The Garcia flood relief home received its Certificate of Occupancy in early September, and we were able to move the family in before the one-year anniversary of Helene! More than 75 people—including staff, donors, volunteers, Board members, and community partners—attended the dedication ceremony. The home feels open, bright, and cozy; staff and volunteers did an exceptional job and should be extremely proud.

The Chestnut Park neighborhood is nearing completion, with one home left to finish. Remaining work includes grading, drainage, landscaping, sidewalks, and driveways. We are also applying for a grant to complete the planned civic space, including a walking path and dedicated civic space. Building homes is essential, but building community is equally important. We hope community support and neighborhood integration will play a larger role in our projects and services in the future.

Looking ahead, we anticipate opening at least two new construction sites in Jonathan Creek and Clyde this year. Permit applications are currently under review.

Board Leadership

We are excited to welcome new leadership to our Board. Dr. Rick Croskery and longtime Board Member Dr. Bill Snyder will serve as Board Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, for the 2025–2026 term. Three new Directors also began their service in July:

      ·​M. Chase Wells of Waynesville, a housing attorney with NC Legal Aid, brings deep faith, compassion, and extensive legal experience.

     · Kimberly McClure of Canton has already strengthened our marketing and brand management. Her leadership is evident on our new website, now live at www.haywoodhabitat.org. The site is clean, accessible, mobile-friendly, and will be updated regularly with news, projects, and opportunities to engage.

     · Zachary Stines of Canton brings deep roots in Haywood County and valuable experience in local politics. His thoughtful approach to community engagement will be an asset to our mission.

Together with our existing Board, these leaders will guide Haywood Habitat into its next chapter.

Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Budget

The Board has approved our FY25–26 budget, which includes funding for two new home builds and our pilot repair program. This program will address urgent repairs and deferred maintenance for homeowner-occupied housing in Haywood County.

Affordable housing is not only about new construction, it is also about ensuring existing homes remain safe and stable, particularly for residents on fixed incomes. Our approach will be twofold: 1) expand housing inventory through new builds, and 2) preserve affordable housing through targeted repair projects.

Lastly, we have also secured funds for hurricane-related repair projects across the county. These funds will support hurricane repairs up to $10,000. If you or someone you know needs home repair assistance related to Hurricane Helene, please contact our office.

Policies, Training, and Volunteers

We are working to update outdated policies and procedures, with new onboarding programs for employees, volunteers, and Board members planned by year-end. These programs will include updated orientations, manuals, and training on safeguarding, safety, customer service, advocacy, leadership, and standard operating procedures.

We hope to engage new and regular volunteers—particularly in the ReStore and administrative office. If you have skills in administration, data entry, donor relations, or public relations, we encourage you to get involved. Please contact our office.

Moving Forward

Our mission remains as urgent as ever. Affordable housing is not a relic of the past—it is a necessity for families and communities today. Together, we can ensure Haywood County families have a safe, dignified, and stable place to call home.

If you have questions, feedback, or concerns, please reach out. I want to hear from you—good, bad, or otherwise. Your voice matters.

With gratitude,

Jared Iraggi, JD

Executive Director

Haywood Habitat for Humanity