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North Carolina has launched a new initiative to assist homeowners affected by Hurricane Helene with a program aimed at repairing or rebuilding storm-damaged homes. Governor Josh Stein made the announcement on Monday, highlighting its importance in the ongoing recovery process.

The Renew NC program, coordinated by the North Carolina Commerce Department’s Division of Community Revitalization, represents the first in a series of recovery efforts tailored to address the extensive damage caused by the hurricane. 

“Helene caused significant damage to thousands of homes across western North Carolina,” Stein stated during the announcement. “There is a lot of work to do, and the Renew NC Housing program is the next step in helping western North Carolinians recover. 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.”

Eligible homeowners in Polk County and 28 other counties are urged to take advantage of the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program, which aims to meet the long-term recovery needs specifically of low-to-moderate-income families. Stein noted that this program is a critical component of the overall recovery strategy.

In addition to the initial initiative, two more housing programs are expected to roll out later this year, focusing on multi-family housing and workforce housing for ownership. The state also plans to launch additional infrastructure and economic revitalization programs in the coming months.

“We’re ready to get hammers swinging and home construction underway,” said NC Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Today’s opening of the application period for our Renew NC Housing program is an important milestone for Hurricane Helene survivors and western North Carolina’s recovery.”

The Renew NC programs are backed by funding from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The state has allocated a total of $1.4 billion for recovery efforts related to Hurricane Helene, with $807 million specifically designated for the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program.

For information, visit www.renewnc.org or call 1-888-791-0207. For information regarding the administration of the Renew NC programs, visit CommerceRecovery.nc.gov.