Households can begin applying to the Helene homebuilding program on June 16. (Dan Reynolds Photography/Getty Images)
Families in western North Carolina whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene last fall can now apply to the state’s rebuilding and repair program.
Applications single-family homes under “Renew NC” opened Monday, Gov. Josh Stein announced, a major landmark in the months-long process to begin swinging hammers in the mountains.
“There is a lot of work to do, and the Renew NC Housing program is the next step in helping western North Carolinians recover,” Stein said in a statement. “If your home was damaged by Hurricane Helene, you may be eligible for assistance depending on your income, so I encourage you to apply today.”
Here’s what to know about the program. Click here to apply.
Do I qualify for Renew NC homebuilding repairs?
Renew NC applications will be evaluated based on several key factors:
Location. Those who live in counties designated as “most impacted and distressed” — which includes almost all western NC counties — will be prioritized. Income. Households making below their area’s median income will take priority. Needs. That means a household has anyone under 18 years old, over 62, a person with a disability, or a person who requires accessibility accommodations. Status of repairs. Are repairs on your home complete, or still needed?Processing will be split into four phases, according to the state. And each of those phases will be further split based on priority. Phase 1, for instance, will include households who make below 60% of their area’s median income, and whose repairs are not completed. And those with household needs will take priority. (See the chart below for full explanation of the four phases.)
How North Carolina will process applications to the state’s post-Helene homebuilding program. (via NC Department of Commerce, Division of Community Revitalization)How do I apply?
You can apply to Renew NC through an online portal, in person at one of three office locations in western North Carolina, through the Renew NC mobile app or by phone.
Click here to reach the online portal. Download the mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Reach a case manager at 1-888-791-0207.
And visit one of the offices at these locations (open 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon-Sat):
Asheville: 128 Bingham Rd., Suite 875 Boone: 379 New Market Blvd., Suite 1 Marion: 364 US Highway 70You’ll need to supply a series of documents when you apply:
Valid photo I.D. and proof of citizenship, or lawful permanent resident status. Income documentation for all household members over 18 years old. Proof of all insurance covering damaged property. Proof of property ownership. Proof of primary residence. For households with children or a member with a disability: a form of I.D. for children; Social Security disability statement, letter from doctor or other documentation for person with disability. Proof of damage and benefit information (insurance claim, FEMA award letter, SBA award letter, certification of damage, neighborhood-level media reports, documentation by disaster response or relief organizations). Various certificates and authorizations.You can check on the status of your completed application on Renew NC’s online portal.
How long do I have to apply?
State officials have said they intend to keep applications open for single-family housing through the end of the year.
I live in multi-family or workforce housing. Am I eligible?
Not yet. Applications are only open at the moment for single-family housing.
The state will have separate programs for multi-family and workforce housing applicants. Those will open “later this year,” according to state officials.
How is Renew NC being funded?
The homebuilding program is paid for with federal dollars. Those dollars come from a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program, called “Community Development Block Grants.” The state has received $1.4 billion from HUD under that program.
Asheville, the largest city in the western region hit hard by Helene, will separately receive $225 million in federal money under the program. The city is set to open its own program for housing, sending grants for various rental, ownership and repair costs.
Who is running the program?
The program is being overseen at the highest level by the Division of Community Revitalization — a new sector of the state’s Department of Commerce.
But that division has hired a contractor to manage the day-to-day operations in western North Carolina.
Horne LLP, a Mississippi-based firm, was awarded the state contract to administer construction over the next three years (and potentially longer). You can read more about their bid and the state’s award here.
I have more questions about my application, eligibility or the program more generally.
You can reach Renew NC officials at 1-888-791-0207 or by email at [email protected].
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