Jen Hampton: A Hurricane Hero

When Asheville’s public housing communities were hit hard by Hurricane Helene, Jen Hampton jumped into action. She organized mutual aid workers to deliver food, water, and supplies, and helped residents navigate FEMA aid applications.

When rent reminder flyers appeared just days after the storm, Jen went door to door across three housing complexes, collecting over 300 signatures for a petition that helped pause new evictions.

As the housing and wages organizer for Just Economics—and a former public housing resident and service worker herself—Jen continues to fight for an eviction moratorium across WNC, ensuring low-wage workers and vulnerable residents aren’t left behind.

"Before the pandemic, I had internalized all my struggles—living in poverty, being a low-wage worker—as my fault. Then I realized, it was systemic," she said. Jen, we honor your fierce dedication, leadership, and resilience.