State Launches New Program to Repair Hurricane-Damaged Rentals in Western North Carolina
In a significant step towards rebuilding hurricane-damaged housing in western North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein has announced the opening of applications for a new disaster recovery initiative. The Small Rental Rehabilitation Program aims to repair or rebuild small rental properties affected by Hurricane Helene, marking the second housing recovery effort under the Renew NC initiative by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization.
Governor Stein highlighted the program’s focus on providing affordable rental options to families with low to moderate income who are recovering from the hurricane’s impact. He expressed, “Helene caused significant damage to rental homes western North Carolina. Today, I am excited to announce the launch of Renew NC’s second housing program, targeting small rental properties and focused on creating affordable rental units for low- to moderate-income families recovering from Helene.”
The program specifically targets property owners with one to four rental units affected by the hurricane. To qualify for assistance, these owners must commit to maintaining affordable rent rates for a decade following the completion of the program’s construction.
Lee Lilley, the North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary, emphasized the program’s importance in serving both homeowners and renters in the region. “Recovery housing must serve both homeowners and renters. The launch of this program is another important step in our western North Carolina housing recovery initiatives,” he stated. He also noted the swift progress made with the construction of the Single-Family Housing Program as an encouraging precedent.
Deputy Secretary of the Division of Community Revitalization, Stephanie McGarrah, a native of western North Carolina, remarked on the urgency and dedication in restoring affordable rental housing. “This program will deliver critical relief for the rental housing supply in western North Carolina. While recovery is a long process, we remain committed to moving with urgency and care to restore affordable rental units for our western North Carolina communities,” she said.
Eligible property owners in counties such as Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, and others are encouraged to apply for the program. Detailed information can be accessed through the Renew NC website or by calling 1-888-791-0207. Applications can be submitted online, via phone with a case manager, or through the app.
Funding for the Renew NC programs, including the Small Rental Rehabilitation Program, comes from a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Of the $1.4 billion in CDBG-DR funds allocated to the state, $57.4 million is designated for this particular program.
Following Hurricane Helene, North Carolina set a national precedent as the first state to initiate a home rebuilding and renovation program using HUD CDBG-DR funding, marking the fastest post-hurricane recovery effort in over a decade. Further details on the administration of the Renew NC programs can be found on the Division of Community Revitalization’s website at CommerceRecovery.nc.gov.
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