In a significant stride towards recovery, North Carolina has completed the first home renovation under its Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program (SFHP) post-Hurricane Helene. This initiative is part of a broader disaster recovery effort funded by a Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Distinguishing itself from other states impacted by Hurricane Helene, North Carolina has quickly set the pace, becoming the first to launch its home renovation program. This rapid response marks the fastest state-led recovery using HUD CDBG-DR funds since the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy over a decade ago.
Governor Josh Stein emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “Rebuilding safe and sustainable housing is crucial to helping western North Carolina get back on its feet. Completing our first home is an important milestone in the Hurricane Helene recovery process. I applaud my team for moving at record speed. Let’s keep swinging hammers and getting more families back home.”
The program, managed by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization (DCR), has received over 1,900 applications aimed at repairing or rebuilding homes affected by the hurricane. Interested parties can track the progress of these applications on a public dashboard at RenewNC.org, which provides daily updates on the application status across various counties.
With a budget of $807 million derived from federal funds, the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program targets low- to moderate-income families in the 29 counties most impacted by the storm. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley remarked, “We know that housing is the key to rebuilding communities impacted by Helene. We are committed to getting our neighbors back home as quickly and safely as we can, and Renew NC is essential to that effort.”
Among those benefiting is Matalene Waters, the program’s first recipient. Having lived in western North Carolina for nearly three decades, Waters shared her relief as her home repairs were finalized. She recollected, “When Helene came, the flood came down the street and into the backyard, and it came all the way up to the [outdoor] light sockets. It flooded all of my furniture and appliances, so we had to destroy all of that. You don’t realize how much it affects your mind. You’re thinking you’re okay, but you’re not.”
Matalene’s daughter, April Stewart, played a crucial role in securing assistance through the SFHP, noting the importance of preserving family roots. Stewart explained, “My mom is my hero. To get her back into her home, that was the plan. It wasn’t about relocating, uprooting her. This is where her roots are. This is where my children’s memories are. To get her back into her home, that was the priority.”
Deputy Secretary Stephanie McGarrah from the Division of Community Revitalization highlighted the ongoing efforts, stating, “With the construction phase of our Single-Family Housing Program underway, we’re looking forward to helping restore housing stability across the region. We can’t understate the importance of this work.”
Residents of western North Carolina are actively involved in the recovery, working in call centers and mobile sites to assist potential applicants. This community-driven approach has notably increased application submissions from 1,000 to over 1,900 within weeks. Homeowners in designated counties, including Alexander, Buncombe, and Mecklenburg, are encouraged to apply for assistance.
Details about the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program can be accessed on the RenewNC.org website, by calling (888) 791-0207, or by visiting an in-person location. Additionally, a dedicated app is available for download on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
The broader disaster recovery initiative, funded by a $1.4 billion CDBG-DR grant, will soon expand to include Multi-Family Housing and Workforce Housing for Ownership programs. These initiatives aim to address diverse housing needs and support economic revitalization in the region. More information about these efforts can be found at CommerceRecovery.nc.gov.
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