Eric Church Breaks Ground on “Blue Haven” Housing Community in His Hometown: A New Chapter for Chief Cares
- All Country News
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Eric Church has never been one to sit still when something needs doing—especially when it hits close to home. On Friday, April 11, the country superstar and his nonprofit, Chief Cares, officially broke ground on their first-ever mid- to long-term housing development, Blue Haven, in Avery County, North Carolina. And if you ask Church, it’s more than just a construction site—it’s a lifeline.
Standing before a crowd of local leaders, neighbors, and supporters, Church got personal. “The land we stand on today sits in the heart of a county that has meant so much to me,” he said. “This is a place my family and I are proud to call home… Mountain people, my people.”
From Heartbreak to Hope: A Blueprint Born of Disaster
According to the press release, Chief Cares—the nonprofit Eric and his wife Katherine founded in 2013—pivoted in a major way following the destruction left by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. While many organizations jump into action for immediate relief, the Churches realized something was missing: support for what comes after the chaos.
That’s where Blueprint for the Blue Ridge comes in. This new initiative from Chief Cares aims to be more than a quick fix. It's a scalable model for rebuilding lives, centered on affordable housing, lasting stability, and community pride.
“We realized that keeping the people in their communities after disaster was a problem with no real solution,” Church explained. “We wanted to change that. This is truly a hand up, not a handout. Dignity and community are key to the long-term success of the Blueprint.”
Welcome to Blue Haven
The first physical embodiment of this vision is Blue Haven, a thoughtfully designed neighborhood that will feature approximately 45 homes in a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts. According to the press release, Chief Cares and its partners are taking care of the heavy lifting—literally. From buying the land and laying the infrastructure to building the homes, it’s all being handled with intention and heart.
Once families are selected, their housing costs will be subsidized for up to three years, allowing them breathing room to rebuild their lives. At the end of that period, they’ll have the option to buy their homes—with Chief Cares lending a hand in navigating available resources and funding.
As Church put it, “We put a house where your home is, so that house can be your home.”
Construction is already in motion, and families are expected to move in by late summer 2025.
More Than a Moment—A Movement
Though Blue Haven is the first, it’s far from the last. According to the press release, Chief Cares has ambitions to replicate the model in neighboring counties, eventually growing it into a nationwide blueprint for community-centered disaster recovery.
“It is our hope and belief that this will provide guidance and support to other communities facing devastation,” Church said. “A map to a destination of keeping those communities intact.”
Chief Cares: A Legacy of Action
Since its founding in 2013, Chief Cares has quietly but powerfully made a difference both in the U.S. and around the globe. With this new housing initiative, the organization is doubling down on its mission—only now, it’s building more than homes. It’s building hope, security, and the kind of community that lasts.
For more information on Blue Haven, Blueprint for the Blue Ridge, or how to get involved, visit ChiefCares.org.
This move is classic Eric Church—no fuss, all heart, and rooted in the very soil that made him. Whether you know him as The Chief or simply as your favorite country outlaw, one thing’s clear: when his people hurt, he builds something better.
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