Since 1974, Mountain Area Residential Facilities, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has provided residential support services for adults with intellectual disabilities in the Western North Carolina region.

IN THE BEGINNING:

The land that the St. Dunstan’s house is built on was purchased in 1920 by J. Hobart Allport, who was involved in the construction of many of Asheville’s landmarks, including the Grove Park Inn, the dam that created Beaver Lake, and the McCormick Baseball Field. His family began use of the house in 1923, originally built with a swimming pool and Buncombe County’s first paved tennis court.

 MOUNTAIN AREA RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES WAS CHARTERED AS BUNCOMBE COUNTY GROUP HOME IN 1974. AT THIS TIME, THE HOME ON ST. DUNSTAN'S CIRCLE WAS LEASED TO THE ORGANIZATION AND WAS THE FIRST GROUP HOME FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY.

In 1981, Chiles Avenue group home was constructed and four residents moved into the 5-bedroom home--one of whom still lives there today.

In January of 1982, the Board of Directors voted to change the name of the organization from Buncombe County Group Home to Mountain Area Residential Facilities (MARF).

In 1983, the owners of St. Dunstan's property donated the home on St. Dunstan's circle to MARF.

In 1984, MARF began an apartment-living program on the property of St. Dunstan's Circle.

Please make a personal contact with MARF prior to visiting.

ADMISSIONS

Interested in living with MARF, Inc.?

Click here for a copy of our admissions application. Complete and return the form to MARF's main office, or scan and email to bsampler@marfinc.org. Click the photo below to learn about our homes.