Renew NC’s urgent reminder to homeowners in western North Carolina highlights the fast-approaching deadline for housing recovery assistance applications. With January 31 looming, the program emphasizes the need for eligible residents to act quickly in securing aid through the Single-Family Housing Program.
Governor Josh Stein has reiterated the state’s commitment to aiding families displaced by Hurricane Helene, stating, “North Carolina is committed to helping families who lost their homes during Hurricane Helene recover. Renew NC’s Single-Family Housing Program is getting people back into safe and restored homes, and we want to ensure every eligible homeowner has the opportunity to apply before the January 31 deadline.”
Program Scope and Eligibility
The Single-Family Housing Program serves as a comprehensive solution for housing rehabilitation, reconstruction, replacement, and reimbursement in 28 counties across western North Carolina, including Alexander, Ashe, Buncombe, and many others, as well as one ZIP code in Mecklenburg County (28214). The initiative places a particular focus on assisting low-to-moderate income families with elderly individuals, children, or disabled members.
Applicants can submit their applications in various ways: online, over the phone, or in person. Renew NC provides bilingual assistance at intake centers located in Asheville, Boone, and Marion, with case managers available from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional intake sites are scattered across the region, each operating on different schedules.
Current Program Progress
Since its inception, the program has attracted over 7,500 applications, with around one-third currently undergoing eligibility assessment. Grants have been awarded to 86 applicants, and 74 projects are in the pipeline for pre-construction. As of January 21, 14 projects have been completed, involving various reconstruction, rehabilitation, and replacement efforts in several counties such as Buncombe and Wilkes.
Construction is ongoing for 15 projects across Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell, and several other counties, with efforts focused on 12 reconstructions, two rehabilitations, and one replacement.
Post-Deadline Process and Additional Information
After January 31, Renew NC will concentrate on processing applications, evaluating budget needs, and expediting eligible applicants through subsequent review and construction phases. Notably, those who have previously received assistance from FEMA or insurance can still apply for additional support through this program.
Funding for Renew NC programs is sourced from a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), managed by the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization (DCR). Of the $1.4 billion allocated to the state, $807 million is dedicated to the Single-Family Housing Program.
Further details about the program’s administration can be accessed through the Division of Community Revitalization’s website at CommerceRecovery.nc.gov.
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