In the heart of North Carolina, a major effort is underway to help homeowners rebuild their lives following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Renew NC, the state’s dedicated disaster recovery initiative, is urging affected residents to take advantage of housing recovery assistance before the looming deadline of December 31, 2025.
Renew NC is actively reaching out to communities across western North Carolina, emphasizing the importance of applying for aid through its Single-Family Housing Program (SFHP). As the deadline approaches, efforts to connect with potential applicants are intensifying.
Governor Josh Stein emphasized the urgency, stating, “Renew NC wants to help as many western North Carolina homeowners recover from Hurricane Helene as possible – but folks need to raise their hand so we can get it done.” He urged residents to spread the word about the program’s benefits for repairing, reconstructing, or replacing storm-damaged homes.
Administered by the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization (DCR), the program offers diverse forms of assistance, including rehabilitation and reimbursement, for homes affected by the hurricane. Since its inception in June, over 6,000 applications have been submitted, with several projects completed or in progress in towns like Black Mountain, Hendersonville, and Gastonia.
“Every completed home represents a family who can rebuild their lives and a community that can heal,” expressed North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. The campaign has seen extensive outreach efforts to include as many families as possible, ensuring no eligible homeowner is overlooked.
To bolster these efforts, Renew NC has expanded its teams and enhanced its canvassing strategies. This initiative, largely driven by local residents who have experienced the hurricane’s impact firsthand, highlights a “neighbors helping neighbors” approach.
The housing program prioritizes assistance to low- to moderate-income families, particularly those with seniors, children, or disabled members. It is accessible to homeowners across 28 counties and a specific ZIP code in western North Carolina.
Even homeowners who have received previous aid from FEMA or insurance can apply for additional support through Renew NC. The program aims to meet any remaining recovery needs after other assistance options have been exhausted.
With the application window closing, Renew NC is set to focus on evaluating submitted applications and expediting the review process for eligible homeowners. As of early December, significant progress has been made, with multiple projects already under construction or completed.
Initiatives like mobile home replacements in Mill Springs and home rehabilitations in locations such as Fairview and Fletcher mark the tangible progress of the program. More reconstructions are anticipated to conclude by the end of December.
“Our priority is to make sure every eligible homeowner knows help is available – and that applying is simple, accessible, and supported every step of the way,” said DCR Deputy Secretary Stephanie McGarrah. Renew NC has partnered with local governments and community organizations to ensure seamless access to recovery resources.
For personalized assistance, homeowners can visit Renew NC intake centers in various locations, including Asheville, Boone, and Marion, where multilingual case managers are available. Detailed information and support are also accessible online via RenewNC.org or by calling (888) 791-0207.
Funded by a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) from HUD, the Renew NC initiatives are part of a larger $1.4 billion allocation for the state’s recovery efforts. Of this, $807 million is dedicated to the Single-Family Housing Program.
For further details on the administration of Renew NC programs, visit the Division of Community Revitalization’s website at CommerceRecovery.nc.gov.
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